Page 16 of Miss Belief

“I may be switching restaurants, but I’ll let you know where I land. You could come in then.”

The timing of her bruise and change of job set off alarm bells. Was it possible she’d been involved in some type of altercation at work? Whatever had happened, it was clear she wasn’t ready to share it, and I hadn’t meant to make her uneasy with the topic.

I switched tacks. “I’m curious. Your year-long contract has been up for three months, correct?”

“Yeah, but I extended for six months.”

Which meant she had three months remaining. “Why?” Most people left after their year was up.

She played with her straw. “I enjoy my job here.”

“You don’t miss LA?”

“I miss my sister and niece, but I’ll move back eventually.”

If it was the money keeping her here, it was clear she didn’t want to talk about it. Her attitude reminded me to insist on paying for her clothes and anything else she’d need for the trip. I absolutely didn’t want to burden her with any expense in doing me this favor.

“What about you? How long will you stay in Dubai?” she queried.

“I signed on for a two-year contract.” I was sixteen months into it now.

“After your contract is up, do you think you’ll go to New York as you originally planned?”

I shook my head. “Definitely not. I applied for another job in Delmont’s Sydney office.” I’d put in for the promotion the regional director had recommended. Australia sounded like a great place to live for a couple of years. Rumor had it the women there were knockouts, so perhaps it was the perfect place to enjoy a single life and have a fresh start. “As far as what we tell people at the wedding, let’s say we plan on staying in Dubai for now.”

She chewed on her bottom lip. “Makes sense. I’ve heard wonderful things about Australia. I bet you’ll enjoy it.”

“I still need to get the job. But I’ve heard good things too. So, I thought we’d go over our favorite movies and music today.”

She smirked. “Did you make a list of things we need to find out about each other before we leave for the wedding?”

My face heated. “I like to stay organized.”

“Which is admirable, but we may want to go about it more organically, so it doesn’t seem rehearsed.”

She had a point. The fifty questions might seem too practiced. “What do you suggest?”

“Deeper conversation.”

“Like what?”

She contemplated while I felt the buzz of my phone.

I took it out and looked at the screen but didn’t recognize the number. It appeared to be from overseas. “I’m sorry. Do you mind if I take this? It might be Aiden.”

“No, I don’t mind at all.”

I stood up and walked to the kitchen to answer the phone, hoping it was my best friend. He was in Iraq now as a government contractor, so I worried about him and hoped he was keeping safe. “Hello.”

“Hi, it’s Aiden.”

I blew out a breath of relief. Hearing his voice meant he remained in one piece. Considering he’d signed on for a dangerous assignment in a war zone, was there any wonder I worried? “How are you? You doing okay?”

“I’m doing all right. Still in Iraq. It’s a shit show here, nothing close to the military, for sure. I could use your help in a personal matter.”

My eyes immediately fell on Teagan sitting on the couch. “Of course. What can I do?”

“I’m leaving next week and heading to LA to see Chloe. I want to surprise her. But to do it right, I need her friend Kendall’s contact information. Chloe is currently staying at her place.”