Riley ignored him and flipped over a few more pages. Her mom was in a serious state, needing brain surgery right away on a tumor. She didn’t have much time left, it seemed, and he’d thrown it back in her face that she lied about it. Riley suddenly felt sick, and that feeling only grew when he flipped over the next page. “Wait, this is an online profile for Anna.”
“Check out the website.”
Riley stared at the bottom of the page. “This is the dating website you put me on. Why is she on this?”
“I think you know why.”’
“No, she found me on purpose, to steal my files for Yancey.”
“Dude, seriously? You’re starting to get on my nerves,” Ben snapped. “Look at that profile, look at the records behind it. She is broke, flat out broke. Her mom needs surgery if she has a hope to live. You’re on that website so you can find a wife, and she obviously needs money.”
Could it really be that simple? But why not just tell him the truth…he closed the file as he realized it was probably for the same reasons he didn’t tell her who he really was. Riley shoved the files aside and rubbed his forehead. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Doesn’t matter. You really still think she’s behind this?”
“All I know is that she works for Yancey’s company and is associated with Diane Chandler. I can’t trust her, Ben. I don’t understand why you can’t see that.”
“And I don’t understand why you can’t see what’s right in front of you! You only spent three days with this woman, yet she did something for you that I haven’t seen since Meredith was alive,” Ben yelled.
“Don’t talk about Meredith.”
“She’s dead, Riley,” Ben said, lowering his voice sadly. “She’s dead, and we all miss her, but shoving Phoebe aside because of something that’s out of her control…it’s not fair to either of you. Especially when I can see that look in your eyes.”
Riley stood and paced to the window, turning his back on his friend. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Ben sighed, and Riley heard his office door open. “Yes, you do, but whatever, man. If you get drunk tonight, you’re doing it on your own. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He slammed the door behind him, and Riley was left alone, feeling the walls closing in on him. He could feel the file on Phoebe staring at his back, daring him to make the call he so desperately wanted to. But no matter what the reasons were, Phoebe had made her choice. She was with Mitch. If she really felt the same way for him as he did for her, she would be there, trying to see him, talk to him. Make him understand.
Why the hell would she do that after you yelled at her? his conscience chided. You pushed her away. You did.
Riley grunted in annoyance and stalked away from the window and the guilty look growing in his eyes. He packed up his things and headed out of the office. Linda was already gone for the day. He thought about trying to hack into that file again but couldn’t accept the idea that she would be connected to any of this. He paused by her desk, debating what to do, then forced himself to keep on walking. There would be time to ask her about it tomorrow.
Chapter 23
Phoebe rolled over and smiled when she felt Mitch by her side. A few weeks had passed since her encounter with Diane, and since she’d mentioned Mitch’s name, the woman had pretty much left her alone. Things were turning out better than she thought they would. Doctor Chambers had even told her the day before if her mother remained stable and continued to recover well, they’d be able to do the surgery soon.
The surgery. The one Mitch had already told her he’d be more than happy to give her the money for. Phoebe had wanted to just take it, but insisted on some sort of loan instead.
Finally, he’d given in, and Phoebe had felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Until yesterday, when she’d been cleaning her apartment and found a t-shirt left behind by Riley. She’d hidden it away, not wanting Mitch to see it. And even now, as she glanced at her boyfriend, all she could picture was Riley laying there instead. She might be able to fool everyone else, but she couldn’t quite make herself believe it. She was not over Riley. Not even close. Mitch was great, treated her the way she’d always wanted to be treated by a man, but he was still holding back. Whatever had made Diane scared of him, she needed to understand, to know what he was really like.
They were supposed to be going away for the weekend to a little cabin he owned in the mountains. She’d talk to him about it then. Maybe getting away from the city was what he needed to really open up to her. For now, she had to get to the office.