Page 34 of Love Under the Microscope
“Yes.”
She sighs again. “I’m afraid when I was living with Nigel, he may have kept something that belongs to … Zentello.”
“Did you ask for it back?”
“No, because until tonight, the thought never entered my mind that he would have taken anything of mine. Well, Zentello’s.”
All I can do is shake my head. “He really is a piece of work, Zelda. I’m still not sure what you saw in him.”
Her head drops back, and she laughs. “I doubt that you would.” Suddenly, she stops laughing and touches my arm. “Unless you’re gay, bi, or pan, of course. God, I’m sorry I never thought to ask.”
“I’m not.” I guess I’ve done a pretty good job at hiding how beautiful I think she looks and my reaction to her kiss.
“Good. I mean, I’m glad I didn’t make the wrong assumption.” The lights are dim, but her cheeks seem to color.
Something flows between us. It’s been a while, but I know that’s attraction. I get the feeling she might be interested in me, and not just as a partner in crime. She probably doesn’t want to be—the same as me. Let’s face it. I’m the enemy. Not to mention we come from different worlds. I’m a struggling journalist, and she’s the personal assistant to the CEOs of a pharmaceutical company. I bet she makes twice as much as I do. Maybe more.
She leans forward, placing her palms flat on the table. “I’ll be honest. I’m highly embarrassed over the possibility that Nigel might have pulled one over on me.”
“What was it, money or something valuable?” I ask, intrigued.
She shakes her head. “No. I’m afraid he took some papers. Important papers that belong to Zentello. Ones I need back because if he manages to understand them, it could destroy Orchid.”
“Wait.” Something isn’t making sense to me. “Why would you have proprietary information at home?”
“Nate trusts me. During the early days, we often took work home. And back then, Nigel didn’t work for a competitor.”
She doesn’t hesitate or miss a beat, but I still get the feeling she’s not being fully transparent with me. That gives me an idea.
“Tell the police,” I suggest. “Have Nigel arrested for theft and get back whatever papers he stole.”
“I have no proof other than what he said tonight and my gut feeling. The Seattle PD can’t make an arrest because I tell them I feel it in my gut.”
“No. They can’t.” But it still sucks. Especially when I know how spot-on that feeling can be. “So do you really believe Nigel could destroy Orchid if he has that information?”
She chews on her lip and then takes a deep breath. “Not only Orchid, but Zentello and Nate, which is probably making Nigel giddy.”
“What’s his issue with Nate?” I ask, wondering again if she’s simply in denial about wanting to get back together with her ex-husband.
She side-eyes me. “Is it so hard to believe that pure, good old-fashioned jealousy drives Nigel?”
“If I say yes, what does that say about me?” I ask, my lips tipping up into a smile.
She sips her beer, studying me. “Shallow or stupid. Maybe both.”
I’ll give her that. I sip my beer.
“Is yes your answer?” she presses.
Nothing against Zelda—who is a catch, don’t get me wrong—but I don’t see someone who looks like Nigel and is in a powerful position wanting to go to so much trouble over an ex-girlfriend. I stare over the lip of my pint. “Couldn’t Nigel be doing this for another reason?”
CHAPTER 8
ZELDA
The bar Jack’s taken me to is more of a dive than Randy’s, where I’ve sung karaoke with Sophie and Max Goodall. I don’t mind slumming, but not when I wear my best shoes and a designer dress—both are not my usual fare. I mean, I even wore contacts tonight.
Still, the beer is good, and Jack appears more comfortable here than at the gala. I take another sip from my pint. Mainly because I don’t want to have this conversation.
