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“When’s that going to be?”
“Can you leave? You’re getting on my nerves.”
“Knock, knock,” Liz says as she enters. “Here are the contracts. Oh, hey, Dax. Mind if I have a seat?”
“Of course,” Dax responds. “I’m just here trying to get Jake to hire a new assistant.”
“Ha! Hopefully you had better luck than I’ve had,” Liz jokes. “Are you getting anywhere with it? He’s not looked at a single resume.”
“Nope, he just growls at me.”
“If you two are done, I’d like to go over these contracts,” I say, hoping my tone shows my annoyance.
“Actually, we’re not done. You need to snap out of your funk. You have to get someone hired,” Dax says, exasperated. “Liz can’t continue to do this work and also do her other role.”
“Fine, I don’t give a shit. Liz, just interview and hire someone. I leave it to your discretion,” I snarl.
Dax rolls his eyes. I can see that he wants to say something to me. He leans forward and looks me directly in the eyes.
“Will you just call her?” Dax asks with irritation in his voice. “Don’t you think you’ve punished her enough?”
“Who? Lana? Do you think that’s what I’m doing? Me punishing her?” I ask. “She lied to me. And I have no idea how far her lies have gone. I can’t trust anything that she has told me.”
I haven’t been completely upfront with Dax about all of my fears. He doesn’t know that Lana and I had unprotected sex. He doesn’t understand that her lies may have far-reaching consequences. In my heart, I want to believe that she isn’t capable of this type of deceit, that she wouldnever purposely try to get pregnant to tie me down. But I’m afraid that I will always wonder.
“Yes, I do think you are punishing her. And you’re punishing yourself, also. She made a mistake, but in her shoes, you’d have done the same. She was protecting her family. If you were in trouble, I’d do everything I could to protect you.”
Liz clears her throat. “Jake, she is hurting as much as you are. You should have seen her. She’s devastated,” she says.
My heart hurts at the thought that she could be going through the same pain that I am experiencing. A spark of hope ignites inside me, though I do my best to stop it. Hope can be a terrifying beast when it’s crushed. I don’t want my heart to be collateral damage.
My phone beeps to indicate a text message. Even though I know it’s probably not Lana, I can’t help but feel a jolt to my heart.
Unfortunately, I’m right. It’s not Lana. It’s her doctor.
Dr. Prescott
FYI-Ms. Jacobs didn’t show up for her appointment.
“You have got to be kidding me,” I seethe. “She actually didn’t show. Even after I threatened her.”
“Huh? What’s going on, Jake?” Dax asks.
“She didn’t show up to the doctor’s appointment I made for her,” I repeat through clenched teeth. I’m so furious. I forget that Dax and Liz have no idea what I’m talking about.
“Who?” Liz asks.
“Lana!” I say in a fierce voice.
“Why does Lana need to go to a doctor?” Dax asks slowly. It’s annoying that he’s looking at me like I’m crazy. “Will you stop speaking in riddles?”
Before I can answer, the door to my office bursts open, and in flies Lana’s roommate, Jessica. The security guard behind her is frantically trying to catch up. I’m going to have a talk with security. If this isn’t a security breach, I don’t know what is.
“Call off your guard dog,” Jessica demands.
“Why would I do that?” I ask lazily, not wanting her to see the curiosity that is slowly killing me. Why is Lana’s roommate here?
“I brought you a gift.”
