Page 21 of Secrets We Keep
I’m early for my wax appointment, so I get my book out of my purse. When I started reading a book about a woman dating multiple men, I never thought I’d be living out the fantasy.
Georgia, my sister, is waiting for me at the restaurant we agreed to meet at for dinner, and I’m happy to see she’s already ordered us a bottle of wine for the table.
“Hey,” she smiles, standing up to greet me, her arms around me. We live in our shared apartment, but she works funny hours and travels a lot for work, so we’ve hardly seen each other over the last week.
I’ve not told her about meeting Reid because she, more than anyone, knows how obsessed I was with the guy. But we also don’t keep stuff from each other. She’s the most open-minded person I know, so I’m not worried about telling her about this setup we’re starting.
“Okay, so what have you been keeping from me?” she says before taking a sip of her wine and looking down at the menu. “I’ve known you all your life. I know when you’re keeping something from me.”
A nervous laugh escapes me, and I sip my wine. “Reid Taylor is working in our building, and I met him this week.” Not a lie. I don’t need to tell her I’ve kissed him.
“Please tell me you didn’t embarrass yourself completely?”
“Not at all. He had a meeting with Adrien.”
“Oh yeah, I remember reading online that his new TV series is being made through Adrien’s company.” Georgia has her finger on the pulse of all the gossip and things happening in the entertainment industry. That’s how she got into the PR and ‘fixer’ business.
My phone buzzes on the table, and I’m glad I put it on silent when I see Reid’s name flash up on the screen. Georgia is used to me keeping my phone out. Part of my job means sometimes Adrien needs to call me for stuff out of office hours. I reject the call and look up to see my sister looking back at me. I hope she didn’t see whose name came up, or she is going to have A LOT of questions.
“So, what’s new with you? I know something is.”
The server comes to our table, and we both order our food. I send Reid a quick message while Georgia is ordering her food. I open the group chat we set up between the three of us.
Jenna: I’m out with my sister. I’ll call you later.
I see that he’s opened the message and is already typing out a reply, so I keep my message app open so it doesn’t go off again.
Reid: Enjoy your meal with your sister.
Dom: Leave her alone. She can make it up to us later.
Reid: We’ve left her alone all day.
Jenna: Really?
Reid: She speaks.
Jenna: Your boss is a gossip, Dom. Alex knows Reid has been sniffing around.
Reid: I’m not a dog.
Reid: Who’s Alex?
Dom: One of my boss's partners.
Reid: Oh yeah, I remember reading something about that.
I look up and see my sister looking at me expectantly.
Jenna: I have to go, guys. Georgia is giving me the stink-eye.
Dom: You going to tell her?
Jenna: Not sure.
Jenna: Speak to you guys later.
I put my phone back down on the table and know instantly my sister will not drop this. I take a big gulp of my wine.
