"Oh, Ari, I'm so sorry to hear that. How can I help?" Jasmine asked.
"You already are, Jaz," she said with a sincere smile. "You giving me business is helping me."
"And to think you didn't want to charge the right price for it," Jasmine admonished.
"Kenny isn't your responsibility, Jaz. And for the umpteenth time, you're my friend."
Jasmine rolled her eyes. "But we're got that sorted now, haven't we? You are going to accept the fair amount for all the dresses we order from you?"
"Yes, thank you," she responded humbly.
Ari felt so much lighter after opening up to her friend. She needed emotional support just as much as she needed a new job.
Her phone rang and she fished it out of her bag. Her heart pounded madly as she gazed at the screen. "Do you mind if I get this?"
"Go ahead," Jasmine replied.
"Hi," she said a tad shyly to the caller.
"Hey, gorgeous. Are you at home?"
Just hearing Dylan on the other end of the line was enough to give her weak knees. Heavens above. What on earth was the matter with her?
"No. I'm out having dinner," she answered him.
"Oh right. I think I left my wallet at your place."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I didn't have a need for it all day so it's only now that I noticed I don't have it. I'm pretty sure it's still at your place."
"Do you remember where you might have left it?"
"Well, I remember tossing everything I was holding in my hand somewhere in your living room when we got busy undressing each other. I retrieved my keys but I didn't check if I had my wallet with me before I left your apartment this morning."
"It must still be somewhere there then. Are you coming to get it? We're still waiting for our food so I won't be home for a while," she said, blushing a little.
"Not tonight. I'm meeting someone for dinner. I'll have to beg her for a free meal," he chuckled. "I was wondering if I could pass by your office tomorrow and I'll pick it up then?"
"Okay."
"Great. Could you text me your office address? I'll see you tomorrow around twelve."
"Sure. Bye."
"Another bad news?" Jasmine asked, her face a picture of concern.
Ari looked at Jasmine in surprise. "No. Not at all."
"Phew. I'm glad. It was just that you were pouting and frowning."
"Oh." Ari felt her face burn. The fact that Dylan was having dinner with a woman felt like bad news. But she kept her mouth shut about that. She didn't want to give Jasmine additional reason to feel sorry for her.
CHAPTER SEVEN
"Hi, Dylan!"
Dylan turned with a smile and kissed Ari on the cheek. "Hey. Thanks for coming down."
"No problem. Here it is." Ari handed him his wallet.
"Where was it?" he asked.
"On the floor near the coffee table."
"Ah, right." He stared at her. Well, it was more like he couldn't help but stare at her. She really was incredibly attractive. He frowned as he noticed the dark bags under her eyes.
"Do you want to have lunch with me?" he asked. What better way to develop their friendship than buy her lunch?
"Sure. Let me get my purse."
"You don't have to. My treat. I have my wallet back," he grinned.
"Okay, thanks. Just something light would be good."
"The Japanese at the corner okay?"
"Yes. Perfect," Ari said with a smile that was a little too forced for his liking. She didn't seem happy today. He took her hand as he led her across the road.
"Busy day at work?" he asked.
"Not really," she answered.
"Then why aren't you your usual cheery self?" he pressed, peering at her.
"It's just one of those days," she said with a heavy sigh.
He was about to prod deeper, keen to know what was bothering her, when he heard his name being called. They both turned and saw Trey waving at them.
"Fancy seeing you guys here," Trey said although his full attention was on Ari. "Ari, it's great to see you again." Trey hugged and kissed her as if she was a long-lost friend.
"Uh, hi …" Ari said tentatively.
Dylan hid a smile. She probably couldn't remember Trey's name, and he wasn't about to volunteer the information.
"Remember me?" Trey asked.
"Um, I remember your face but not your name. Sorry," Ari replied sheepishly.
"It's Trey Andrews. Where are you guys off to?"
"I'm taking Ari to lunch," Dylan answered in a tone that he hoped conveyed to Trey he didn't want him hanging around with them. He wanted to be alone with Ari.
"Where?" Trey asked.
"We're just going to that Japanese over there," he answered, pointing to the place.