Forbidden Nights(35)

After her workout, she’d go shopping. That would pass the time until the baseball game. She’d see Nate tonight, and she’d smile, having forgotten completely about the fact that he’d promised a photo. What photo? Who cared? Not her.

* * *

The emerald-green dress hugged her in all the right places, and her friend Jane agreed.

“That is a rocking dress,” Jane said, nodding appreciatively as Casey stepped out of the dressing room of the boutique on Christopher Street. “It’s sexy, but it’s not over the top.”

“So I should get it? Is it first date material? Would you wear it if you were on a first date again with Matthew?”

Jane laughed, practically doubling over, then shook her head, her wild curly brown hair framing her face.

“Then why are you telling me to get it?” Casey asked, parking her hands on her hips.

“That’s not what I’m laughing at. I’m laughing because it’s been more than three years since I had a first date with Matthew, and we didn’t even technically date. We went from him interviewing me for a story about my music to sleeping together,” her friend said. Jane was a rock star. Literally. She’d won a Grammy three years ago for a hit album, and had continued churning out top-notch, and top-selling tunes.

“You’re no help then,” Casey said, teasing, as she checked out her reflection in the store’s mirror. The dress hit her above the knees, and had a soft flare to the skirt. It was suggestive, but not inappropriate, and that’s what she liked about it.

“Just ask your BGF,” Jane offered.

Casey shot her a curious look. “Gay Best Friend?”

“No. That would be GBF. I mean BGF.” Jane snapped a few times, like she was trying to recall something. “You know, that guy Nate. Your Best Guy Friend.”

Casey felt a flush spread through her cheeks when Jane said his name. She didn’t know if it was due to the heat, or the secret almost-sex, or the fact that she still hadn’t heard from him. Odd, since they were supposed to be going to the ballpark in eight hours.

“Send him a pic and ask his opinion if you don’t believe me.”

She waved her hand to shut down that idea. “No. I don’t want to send him a picture,” she said.

“Why not? Isn’t that the point of a best guy friend?”

Jane was right. It was the point, or one of the points, but it was also what Casey should be doing instead of wondering why he hadn’t called or sent a picture. Normal. She had to keep things normal with Nate.

Casey handed her phone to Jane. “Take a picture of me.”

She struck a pose—a simple, friendly pose—and texted it to Nate.

Should I wear this on a date with Grant? Yes or no?

Then, because this is what she would have done if she weren’t sleeping with him, she called him.

He sounded pissed when he answered.





CHAPTER ELEVEN


Washington D.C, Morning…

from: Joannasimone@gmail.com

to: nHarper@theluxe.com

date: June 11, 6:04 AM

subject: Trying to reach you

Dear Nate,

I hope this note finds you well. I’m thrilled that everything seems to be going swimmingly at The Luxe. It makes me so happy to see you thriving in your career, but then I always knew that you would do great things. I tried to call you earlier this week but I haven’t heard back, so I’m emailing you at your work address. I hope you don’t mind. But there is something important that I need to discuss with you. I would greatly appreciate it if you could give me a ring. I’ll try you again soon.

All my best,

Joanna





CHAPTER TWELVE


Washington D.C, afternoon . . .

Nothing had gone as planned for Nate. Not a damn thing. The meeting with his COO in Miami had been quickly derailed when Tom came bearing bad news about the New Zealand hotel manager they’d hired to open the new property in a few months. The guy had flown the coop already, after a competitor in Auckland had wooed him.

Nate and Tom quickly devised a new plan, and jetted to the nation’s capital in the middle of the night. The D.C. property manager was their top guy, but his second-in-command was sharp as nails too, so could step in immediately. Nate and Tom had spent Saturday morning convincing the property manager to move halfway across the world to open up the New Zealand hotel. The man was a D.C. native, had only worked at properties in the nation’s capital, and he loved his hometown. He drove a hard bargain too, and was asking for a hefty raise for the new international post. But by midday, he was leaning towards yes. It was a yes Nate desperately sought, since he needed the New Zealand opening to go smoothly.

Nate planned to take him to dinner and then crash in D.C. for the night. Hell, he needed some shut-eye. He hadn’t slept last night. Add in Joanna’s note to the mix, and it was one of those days where everything was piling on. He had no clue what Joanna could possibly want to talk to him about, and very little interest in knowing either. What sucked the most about this upended Saturday was that he was missing the game tonight. He'd texted Casey earlier that he wouldn’t be able to join her, but he hadn’t heard back from her yet.