Page 61 of Pure Abandon

Malory scowls. “What do you mean a ‘girl in the park?”

“Blonde, perfect, and well acquainted with my husband and son.” The thought makes me shiver. “And to top it off, I heard her talking to someone about this guy she’s seeing.”

I let out a breath of air. I feel defeated. “There was something she said. She made a reference to the guy making it all worth it. Like there was an obstacle they had to overcome.” My fear is that obstacle is me.

“Tell me more about the girl. What did she look like? Was she young?”

“I’d say early-twenties. She was—” The ringing phone interrupts me. I put my finger up to Malory. “Hold that thought.”

I pick up the phone.

“Hello.”

“This is Cecelia from Mr. Asher’s office. He’s requested your company in his office. Shall I alert him of your availability?”

Is this the right time to be dealing with Asher?

He’s your boss, Kat. Yes.

“Yes. I’ll be up in five minutes.” I hang up.

Malory’s black eyes question my phone call.

“Asher has summoned me.” I answer her unspoken question.

“Huh,” she replies with a raised eyebrow.

“Huh?”

“Yeah. Huh. Shall I say more?” Her lips fix into a smirk.

“You’ve said enough.” I stand, grabbing my files for the gala. I’m sure he wants to go over the permits and timeline.

“If Gabriel is having an affair, you want to catch him in the act. Otherwise, he’ll just cover his tracks,” Malory says, and I nod in agreement. I should be taking notes. “Do you have any proof of this alleged affair?” Malory questions.

“No.” There is comfort in that fact.

“Whatever you do, do not, I repeat, do not talk to Gabriel about this. We need to come up with a strategy first.” Malory stands and smoothes out her onyx dress. “Did you drive in today?”

“Yes. Why do you need to borrow it for some reason?”

Malory grabs her bag and thinks for a second before changing her mind. “No. I just wanted to know if you had a train to catch. When you get back, I still have questions for you. I want to know who this younger other woman is.”

I stall at the door before answering. “If my husband is sleeping with another woman, does it really matter how young she is?”

Malory stares at me blankly as I walk out of the room.

Upstairs in Asher’s office, I take a seat and stare at big-eyed fish. They’re so naïve, thinking their perfect little aquarium is a paradise just for them, when, in reality, there is an entire ocean out there they have no idea about. They only know what they’ve been lied to about.

The large door behind me opens and a dark-skinned woman with hazel eyes and a tiny frame exits Asher’s office. She’s buttoning the top button of her blouse as she saunters over to the elevator. Shouldn’t she at least have the decency to put herself together inside the office? It’s like she wants people to know what she’s up to.

“Ms. Grayson.” Cecelia draws my attention away from the afternoon booty call. “Mr. Asher will see you now.”

Oh, what this poor girl must have to witness on a daily basis.

“Close the door,” Asher calls over from the bar area.

I compromise and leave the door slightly ajar as I do every time I’m in his office.