“Oh, don’t give me that lawyerly bullshit, Matt,” I retort.
He doesn’t react immediately, holding my gaze with an unreadable expression.Then, leaning back in his chair, he nods ever so slightly, as if acknowledging a worthy opponent.“Then stop skirting the question, Amy.”
“You know you’re not gonna get a declaration of love for James from me.It’s not that simple,” I frown, confounded by him pressing such a deeply personal issue.“Bottom line?My love life is none of your business.”
“Love life,” Matthew repeats with a hint of annoyance.
Just like the shrill of the final bell in a wrestling match, my phone starts ringing.
Matthew picks up my purse and hands it over.He’s putting me on the spot, so I can’t ignore it.I pull out my phone, my stomach dropping at the sight of James’s name flashing across the screen.
I press my lips together, steeling myself before answering with as neutral a ‘hello’ as I can manage.
“Mimi, baby,” James’s unbearably loud voice explodes down the line, along with the noise on his end.
I instinctively move the phone away from my ear.Self-consciously, I trail a hand across my forehead, my gaze glued to the napkin in front of me.Matthew’s eyes weigh on me, heavy and undeniable.
Bringing the phone back to my ear, I answer as quietly as I can.“Where are you?”
“Listen, baby, I can barely hear you.The boys dragged me to the club.Wouldn’t take no for an answer.You know how they get—”
“That’s fine,” I cut him off.“Just—”
“Don’t wait up for me, okay,” he continues to yell, and I’m forced to move the phone away again.
“Okay, bye,” I say without bringing the device back to my ear, and hang up.
Knowing I’ll have to face the fallout eventually, I sigh and look up at Matthew, dropping the phone back in my purse.“Well, there’s your answer, loud and clear,” I say, sliding my chair back.
“Amy…” My name sounds more like a plea.
“No.This,” I say, gesturing sharply between us, “clearly has nothing to do with helping me save my business.”
I rise to my feet.Matthew rises with me.
“You’re right, I’m sorry.Please sit.”
“Thank you,” I reply, shaking my head.He’s busy fishing out his cellphone.“It’s okay.Really.I’m gonna go.”
“Read this,” he says, blocking my escape with his arm, holding his phone out.“Take it.”He nudges the device closer.
After a moment, I hesitantly take it.It’s a message from Bancroft:
Busy day Warren.It’s simple.I can get paid triple her monthly rent for that space.I want her gone.No headaches.No money.Get it done.
I look up.
“I am here because I want to help,” he says.“Please.”He gestures for me to sit.
I hand back the phone and retake my seat.
“I have your drinks,” Josh announces, approaching our table.“One vodka martini for you, sir.”He places Matthew’s drink in front of him.
“Perfect timing,” Matthew mutters.
“And your Merlot, miss.”He smiles as he puts my wineglass in front of me.“Do we need more time with the menu?”
“Yes,” Matthew answers for the both of us.
