Page 143 of Penny For Your Thoughts
“Dating? About a year and a half, but we were hooking up for close to nine months before we made it official.”Before I grew balls big enough to ask him out, I didn’t say.
“So, why don’t you want to marry him?”
I stared for a long time at the dark screen of the TV. The impression of Tallus, dressed to the nines and smiling his sassy smile, was stamped in my brain. I tried to remember all the reasons I couldn’t marry him because there had been many, right? Dozens?
But not a single one of them came to me. “I… I don’t know.”
31
Tallus
Ileft Diem and Darcy at home, ready to jump at a moment’s notice. The last thing I needed was Aaron to think my tank of a boyfriend was lurking around, especially when I planned to flirt back for a change and hopefully learn a few things about the posh event coordinator and his involvement in this scheme.
We didn’t know how closely connected Aaron was with Lukyan, but since the coordinator knew Diem was working on Elwood’s case, it was highly probable Lukyan would be alert to my presence.
Our meeting was scheduled for ten. I arrived a few minutes early and signed in with Sandra at the front desk.
Sandra noticed my outfit and arched a brow. “Looking mighty fine today, Mr. Domingo.”
I chuckled bashfully, feigning embarrassment as I touched my tie. “You’re too kind. I have lunch plans after I meet with Mr. Daily.”
“I see. No Diem today?” She glanced over my shoulder to the main doors as though expecting him to saunter in under his usual cloud of indignation.
“No. He’s working this morning. He’ll pop in later.”
I inquired after Nana, but Sandra didn’t have any information since she wasn’t a floor nurse, so I headed toward the administrative wing and Aaron’s office, running through my hastily constructed plan.
Before announcing my arrival, I sent Diem a quick text.Wish me luck. I’m going in.
His response landed immediately.Be careful. I’m on their radar. I love you.
Smiling, I pocketed my phone.
Aaron’s office door sat partly open. I rapped once and poked my head inside, finding the man of the hour at his desk. “Knock, knock. Can I come in?”
“Tallus.” Aaron’s eyes lit up, and he returned a beaming smile, waving for me to enter. “Please. I’ve been waiting for you.”
The instant I entered, Aaron’s gaze glided the length of my body. If it was intended as a subtle perusal, he failed miserably. The man was ten seconds from drooling on himself.
Mission accomplished.
“You’ll, um, pardon my saying this, but…” He chuckled. “You look incredible.”
I smoothed a hand down my shirt, acting shy and self-conscious. “Thank you. I have a lunch appointment with a client later.” I laughed nervously. “Stuck-up lawyers. They only want to dine in elegance.”
Aaron glanced at the door. “Is Diem joining us?” I didn’t miss the note of hope dangling at the end of the question.
“No. Diem couldn’t come today.”
“Oh. Great. I mean… Okay then. Should we get started?” He motioned to the door. “I have the projector set up in the event room. We can test it. I assume you brought a file?”
I presented one of the USBs I’d prepared before leaving the house.
“Excellent.” Aaron grabbed his trusty tablet, the one he took everywhere he went, and guided me toward the spacious room I’d viewed during my last visit. Much to my dismay, he left his phone untouched on the desk.
We would have to come back when we were done.
“So, how’s your investigation going?” Aaron asked. “Any updates?”
