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“I think we’re ready for pretty much anything,” she says to the waitress, without breaking the stare.
14
Whitney
I strideinto the hotel lobby.
Right now, Dan Walters the politician should be having dinner with Maddox. Maybe dinner is already over and they’re touring the hotel. Astrid is there in the club, ready to snap a couple of pictures as planned, and then send it to a gossip columnist friend of ours.
If this was another client, I wouldn’t be here. My presence isn’t required since Astrid is here, as per her text.
But I am shamelessly using every excuse in the book to be around Maddox, to see him more often, to spend more time with him.
Ever since our ax throwing date, I can’t stop thinking about how far we’ve come. From him avoiding me for years to hinting about having children together one day. Who would have thought?
A ball of joy rolls inside me, like a bowling ball running down the lane. Striking out.
I add a little bit more pep to my step, and my goal is to pass by the restaurant and see them without introducing myself. But before I make it there, I almost bump into them, with both tall men walking through the elegant hallway, talking. Good. This exposure will be great for business, and it’ll be the cherry on top for the club.
“Hi,” I say, walking up to them.
“Dan, this is Whitney, she’s been a great help for Dallas Proper,” Maddox says. I notice he’s not saying my full name or job title, and I internally applaud him. Most likely, a guy like Dan wouldn’t know who I am anyway, and it’s better if we keep this operation as discreet as possible. Even if Dan suspects something fishy happens after he visits the club and a picture of him leaks online, I don’t want him to be sure that I had anything to do with it—or worse, to spill it over on Maddox.
“I can see why,” Dan says, and stretches his hand to mine. “Nice to meet you.”
“My pleasure,” I say. “Did you enjoy dinner?”
“Absolutely,” he says, and his gaze holds mine in a strange way. Sleazy. I’m definitely not sorry for semi-using this guy’s popularity to our advantage. “Maddox is just about to show me the rest of this property. Would you care to join us?”
“Whitney has a packed schedule,” Maddox says so tightly I barely see his lips moving as he speaks.
“That’s right. Enjoy though,” I say, then turn around and walk fast out of their sight.
I’m still shaking my head at the strange request when I go to the hotel’s business center, which thankfully is empty right now. What was that all about? Sure, Dan gave off some sketchy vibes, but was there any other reason behind male jealousy for Maddox to act that way?
I hope not.
I know he’s made jokes here and there, but he’s supported me in my career. He always says how smart I am, and even went with me to an appearance.
Maybe he didn’t want the whole situation to be obvious. I hope I didn’t screw it up.
My phone buzzes, and I read Astrid’s text.Call me now.
She never asks me to call.
I pick it up. “What’s up?”
“Whitney, have you checked Santana’s latest post?” she asks, mentioning a popular gossip account.
I frown. “Not today, why?”
“Well, you’re on it. Kissing your dad’s friend.”
Blood freezes in my veins. What the fuck is she talking about? Then, I fumble in my bag, find my Air Pods with lightning speed, pop one in my ear. Then, I go to my Insta, and bam.
A picture of me and him in the ax throwing place.
Oh, great. Acid rolls into my stomach. It’s not like I owe anyone an explanation, but this definitely means I’ll have to talk to Maddox about it. He’s more private, and besides… oh, shit. My dad. A warm wave of embarrassment washes through me. My poor dad.
