Obsession (8 page)

For whatever reason, Mitch’s shoulders
relaxed and his smile returned. He watched me intently as I threw
my purse over my shoulder.

When I walked to the door, he didn’t
follow me.

“I have to lock-up.”

Mitch shook his head to rid him of his
trance and walked toward me. “Sorry, I didn’t get the hint.” To my
surprise, he reached for the door and opened it for me.

I secretly hoped he’d stand by me
until I got the door locked. My twitching fingers fumbled with the
key as I shoved it in the lock. Mitch stood behind me, close enough
for my hands to calm enough to lock it.

“I’m surprised they don’t have an
alarm,” Mitch said as he watched me.

“I’m sure Nathan views this tiny place
as temporary. He really wants Miami to be a permanent location.”
When I turned, I nearly ran into Mitch’s chest. He didn’t even
flinch by our proximity. “Sorry!”

“Don’t be.” His voice was smooth like
velvet. When my eyes found his again, the softness they held was
hypnotizing. Finally breaking our gaze, he said, “Have a good
night.”

My laugh was unsteady as I shook my
head from staring at him like I was fascinated. It didn’t help that
those green eyes sent the same vibe. “You too. Enjoy the
weekend.”

Mitch gave me a final nod and turned
to walk to his truck…

On the other side of the
parking lot.

My eyes scanned the area as my
footsteps moved faster. I had to get to my car before Mitch pulled
away. Being alone could only play out badly, especially if Rod were
lurking in the corners. The sound of my breathing increased with
each step I took toward my car, causing the largest exhale to
escape my mouth once I was safely inside with the doors locked.
After throwing my purse in the passenger seat, my head found the
steering wheel. My hands were clammy as they gripped the leather
tightly.

The roar of Mitch’s truck coming to
life startled.

With apprehension, my head slowly
looked down to my purse. Releasing the steering wheel with my white
knuckle grip was agonizing as my hand shakily made its way to find
the letter.

The familiar wax seal of
the envelope made a tremor creep up my arm and throughout my body.
After one more deep breath, I pulled the letter from the envelope,
the waxy texture catching underneath my nail.
There it was
—perfect white penmanship
in the center of the threefold black paper.

Red’s never been your color.
I suggest re-thinking your wardrobe and your company.

-Rod

The audible gasp was
uncontrollable as I dropped the letter in my lap, my eyes taking in
the softness of my deep red shift dress. My eyebrows knitted as I
tossed the letter on the passenger seat. What could he have seen to
make him so jealous? The only person I’d been with was Mitch. He
must have caught our interactions while getting into the car
earlier in the day. Shit. I couldn’t let any feeling toward Mitch
slip up again
. Feelings toward
Mitch?
I didn’t have feelings toward that
cocky asshole. Maybe some sexual tension, but that was it. We’d
never be anything serious. After all, I hadn’t had a serious
relationship with anyone since Rod.

I wasn’t going to take
that letter seriously because he was bat shit crazy to think I had
long term intentions for Mitch. My
shoulders shook with laughter as I started my car from how
ludicrous that letter was.

“
Get a fucking clue,
Rod.”

***

“You’re late,” Nathan scolded as I
joined him at the table for two. I waited impatiently as the
hostess pulled out my chair for me to sit. Nathan looked annoyed,
but I couldn’t care less.

“I was working. I expect a raise for
my dedication to this company for giving up my Friday
evening.”

Nathan smirked as he steepled his
fingers under his chin. “You’ll get a raise when you lose the
attitude. Now, tell me about Kobiashi.”

“After I order a drink. Gin and tonic
please, and make it a double,” I said as the hostess started to
leave.

Nathan tilted his tumbler of amber
liquid to his lips, taking a long swig. “Went that bad,
huh?”

“No,” I said nonchalantly as I opened
my menu.

I bit my lip as I skimmed the items.
Nothing looked appealing. All I wanted was a burger, and fries,
and, of course about four beers to wash them down. Wasn’t that the
best way to feed a hangover? Greasy food and more beer?

The tap of Nathan’s finger on the rim
of his tumbler was beyond irritating. Nathan wasn’t a patient man,
even more so when it came to his business.

“All right, fine. Kobiashi came, he
saw the suite, wanted a few adjustments, and then left.”

“That’s it? Did he say anything about
the amusement park?”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course
not.”

“And you didn’t bring it
up?”

“No,” I said, exasperated. “I told you
I wouldn’t.”

Nathan’s hand went in the air as he
relaxed in his seat. “Just making sure. How was Mitch?”

My eyes darted to the menu
again. “He did his part.”
Sort
of.

“Jamie…” I knew Nathan didn’t believe
me.

“Does he have trouble with numbers?” I
asked inquisitively. I really didn’t want to throw Mitch under the
bus. I’d planned on keeping the pissing contest between him and
Kobiashi to myself. If Kobiashi decided to tell Nathan, then Mitch
would be on his own with that conversation with his
brother.

“Not that I know of, why?”

“Just curious.”

Nathan sat taller in his chair. “God,
Jamie, stop beating around the bush. What the hell
happened?”

The server came with our drinks and a
plate of bruschetta that Nathan must have ordered. The distraction
gave me more time to think about how I was going to approach this
subject without Nathan calling Mitch and being a dick.

After taking a hefty sip, I said, “He
kind of froze when Kobiashi asked him for some measurements, that’s
all.”

“Did he answer him?”

“Kobiashi got the answers he was
looking for.”

Nathan visibly relaxed. “Jamie you
almost gave me a heart attack. Get to the point next time.” I
shrugged in apology. “What are you going to order?” he asked as he
folded his menu.

Dinner conversation was lighter for
the most part. We only discussed a few clients and up and coming
projects. Nathan was confident that Miami was going to be a game
changer for the Conklin name. I agreed with him, but I wasn’t sure
if I’d be a part of that endeavor.

My life was easier without those
letters, and Grand Rapids had been the safest place for me so
far.

“Want to go to the bar?” Nathan asked
as he finished his drink.

My tiredness had set in, but I didn’t
want to be alone. The bar might help take my mind off of life and
black carbon paper with white writing.

“Oh, why not. What’s two nights in a
row?”

“Now that’s my girl.” Nathan grinned
as he stood from his seat, reaching for my hand. “Where
to?”

I took his hand then placed my other
hand on my chest. “Are you really letting me choose?”

Nathan rolled his eyes dramatically.
“Well, only this one time.”

My head rested on his
shoulder as I laced my arm through his. “Wow, you are the
best
boss.”

“Damn right.”

***

Miller’s Ale House was near our condo.
Nathan turned his nose up and whined when I chose the location but
quickly quieted down when I reminded him it was my choice. I wasn’t
in the mood for loud and obnoxious, and I just wanted a beer.
Fortunately for me, they had seventy-five beers on tap to choose
from, so we’d ditched my car at the condo, taking Nathan’s car to
the bar.

Sitting at the bar in silence with
Nathan was a new and comforting feeling. Straight bars didn’t faze
Nathan, but he definitely wasn’t as outgoing. His business demeanor
normally took over, and his phone became his best friend. I didn’t
mind. I enjoyed sitting and staring at a sporting event, even if I
didn’t care about who won.

“Hey, little brother, what are you
doing here?” Nathan said as he rose from his seat. Of course, out
of all the bars in Miami, Mitch had to find the exact same one we
were at.

Mitch took Nathan’s hand, then gave me
a lopsided grin. His eyes looked a bit hazy, and I was sure the
bottle of beer wasn’t his first. “Enjoying my Friday night. This
isn’t really your scene, is it?” Mitch asked as he eyed the two of
us.

I spun in my seat, the beer making me
feel feisty. “Why wouldn’t this be our scene?”

Mitch shrugged and gave us
a mocking grin. “Thought you were into, what’s the word,
fancy
restaurants?”

“I like to loosen my tie every now and
then.” Nathan laughed, but his laughter quickly faded as his eye
caught something from a distance and he was out of his chair. My
lip twitched in amusement. Only Nathan could spot the one
potentially gay man in this little bar.

Mitch sat on the now empty stool that
was next to me. The course fabric of his jeans touched my bare
knee, causing me to cross my legs away from him. There was no need
for touching, especially when we both had been drinking.

“You’re the only person who could get
Nathan anywhere he doesn’t want to be.”

“He was fine with it,” I
lied.

“Are you kidding? This is a dive
bar.”

I laughed. “I love this bar. It’s
quaint and small and has a ton of beers to choose from,” I added as
I waved my hand in the direction of the different taps.

“Let me
re
fill your glass.” Mitch nodded
to the bartender to come in our direction. She was a tatted up
bleach blonde girl who looked like she didn’t take shit from
anyone.

“What do you need
Mitch?”
Hmm, she knew his name.

“A
re
fill
for the lady in red,” Mitch asked pleasantly. “Another for me, and
whatever the finely dressed gentleman and his friend are having.”
Mitch motioned in Nathan’s direction on the opposite side of the
bar. Nathan looked like he had the young kid already eating out of
the palm of his hand. I shook my head, knowing he’d most likely not
go home with him. That young gun looked way too easy.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said
casually as I swirled the remains of my first beer at the bottom of
my cup.

“Don’t worry, I felt
obligated.”

“Ha ha ha. I can’t imagine that line
working well.”

He leaned closer. “You want a
line?”

I laughed louder this time, causing a
few others who were sitting at the bar to look in our direction.
“Mitch, you text me your lame ass pick-up lines daily. I’m sure you
don’t have any new ones.”

Mitch spun so he was facing me, his
arm resting on the bartop. “Sounds like a challenge.”

My brows rose.
Bring it.

“Have you been to the
doctor lately? Because I think you're lacking some vitamin
me.
”

“Heard it,” I said, not showing
interest.

He shifted in his seat, his
mischievous grin inching farther up his cheeks. “Are you a
banana?”

“Why, because you find me a-peeling?”
I cocked my head.

Mitch rested his head on his hand as
though he were thinking. “I think you have something in your
eye?”

“You mean a sparkle?”

Mitch rested both his elbows on his
knees as he leaned closer to me. “Okay, how about this one. My
buddies over there thought I wouldn’t be able to start a
conversation with you. Guess I won. Want to spend their money with
me?” My jaw dropped as Mitch pointed behind him with one hand and
held a twenty with the other. As though the bartender were in on
the joke, she walked over and took the twenty, placing a fresh beer
in front of me.

Mitch leaned so his back was resting
on the bar. “Winner.”

I looked down in my lap
with embarrassment as I watched the gentlemen he pointed at laugh
with each other
. What a jerk.
But I wasn’t one to just let a man make a fool
out of me.

“Seems fitting. You’d never afford my
attention otherwise.”

“Oh, I could afford you, darlin’.
Although, you seem like one who wouldn’t want to be
bought.”

“Don’t worry, sweetie, those aren’t
really his friends,” the bartender assured as she took the cap off
Mitch’s new bottle. “He does use that line a lot,
though.”

Mitch scowled. “Now, Tori, you know
that’s not true.”

“What, that those aren’t your
friends?” The snottiness in my voice was beyond my
control.