Page 44 of Tiger on the Prowl

Olivia noticed the slight hesitation when he said his last name and guessed that the last name he had used at the yoga studio, and was now giving her mother, was as fake as his beard. She wasn’t surprised.

As Jay shook hands with her mother, and then her father, Olivia addressed her parents, “Why don’t I meet you down in the lobby in half an hour? And then the three of us can go to lunch.”

“Maybe Jay would like to join us for lunch,” her father suggested.

“That’s very kind,” Jay said quickly, “but I’ve got an appointment in downtown D.C. I’d better go get a cab.”

“We can drop you off in D.C. We’re heading that way anyway,” her father suggested. “We’ll meet in twenty minutes in the lobby?”

Olivia exchanged a look with Jay. “Sure, we’ll see you downstairs.”

The moment the door shut behind her parents, Olivia let out a sigh. “Damn it, I totally forgot that I was supposed to have lunch with them. They’re flying back to Hawaii tonight. It’s really the only time I get to see them.”

Jay cast her a smile. “Go for lunch with them. I’ll have them drop me off at one of the Metro stations in D.C., and when you’re done with lunch, we’ll go over the group photos. Can you contact the photographer now so he can email you the photos, and you’ll have them by the time you’re done with lunch?”

“Yes, I can do that. I hope I can reach him. I’ll text you when lunch is over and when I’ve got the photos.”

“You don’t have my number.”

“I do. You gave it to me the other day.”

“That number is dead already.” He pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’ll text you my new number.”

When her phone pinged, Jay put his fingers under Olivia’s chin to make her look at him. “And, Olivia, don’t tell your parents anything about me. I know they’ll ask, but don’t tell them that you know me from your yoga class. Just say that I’m a hotel guest. Just a one-night stand. It’s safer for them.”

Olivia nodded. “You’re lucky that my parents are free spirits and don’t condemn one-night stands.”

“I doubt they could stop you even if they disapproved.” Jay smiled and pressed a kiss to her lips.