Unravel Me

“Excuse me, Mr. Greyson?”

A petite, brunette woman stood next to our table. Nathan eyed her with mild interest. I snapped my hand away, aware our uninvited guest had seen it.

“Sorry to interrupt your dinner. I’m Rachel Jameson with—”

“I know who you are,” he cut her off. “Feel free to call my public relations department if you’re looking for an interview.”

“Oh, actually, that’s not why I’m here.” Rachel smiled widely, unaffected by Nathan’s curt manner. “I wanted to talk to your date.” She fixed an inquisitive stare on me, her chocolate eyes gleaming.

I knew who she was, too; a blogger for Orlando’s society pages. Dressed to kill in a fitted orchid maxi dress, she exuded the unflustered confidence a tabloid reporter needed to possess. Rachel was well known around the city and had stirred the pot on numerous occasions with her exposés. More succinctly put, she’d base most of her writings on assumption rather than fact.

“What do you want to talk to me about?” I tried to employ an impassive expression. Not sure if I succeeded. She’d referred to me as Nathan’s ‘date’ for a reaction. I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction.

“I don’t want to intrude on your evening, Miss Meyers. Give me a call when you’re not busy.” Passing me her business card, she flashed a cunning smile. “Enjoy the rest of your date.”

I was beyond suspicious. She’d referred to this dinner as a ‘date’ twice. I broke out into a cold sweat. Nathan’s cell phone rang loudly, rattling my already shaky nerves. Excusing himself, he left the table to take the call.

Reaching for my own phone, an unsettled feeling crept into my bones. I scrolled through a few emails. There wasn’t anything from Alastair. It was late in Glasgow. He was probably asleep, although he’d been known to work well into the night. I sent him a quick text.

8:50pm Miss you xx

8:51pm Ditto, love x

My heart ached to be near him. What I wouldn’t give to go home and find him sprawled across my mattress.

8:53pm Remember, don’t pack anything when you fly here.

8:54pm Nothing?

8:55pm No. I’ll have everything you need. And maybe a surprise or two. x

Smiling, I put the phone away. The server came by to take our order but Nathan was still off on his phone call. I ordered yellowtail snapper for myself and a rib-eye steak for him. It was his favorite and I assumed he’d want it anyway. He didn’t return to the table until our entrées arrived.

“I’m afraid I have to cut this short. Sorry we didn’t get to talk much business.” Nathan paid for the meal as promised and escorted me to the valet. “Thanks for dinner, Lia. I’ll give you a call next week.”

His brusque manner surprised me a bit. What is it with these guys and their mysterious phone calls?

“Sure. Whenever you want to tell me what this big exclusive thing is, I’ll be waiting.” I cast him a cool glance, wondering if there even was a story.

* * *

A large white envelope rested against my door. I eyed it suspiciously before picking it up. My name was written clearly in block letters across the front but there was no address. I turned it to see if there was anything written on the back. Nothing. I turned it over again, noticing how light it was. A cold chill ran down my spine. I unlocked the door and walked inside my apartment.

I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking as I opened it. Oh my God.

A stack of eight-by-ten photos fell to the floor. Dropping to my knees, I sifted through them. There were photos of me at the grocery store, walking into work and going to the gym. The last one made me shudder. The perfectly framed photo of me standing with Alastair in the private lot at the beach sent me over the edge. I clasped my hands to my mouth and screamed. Trembling, I threw the photos, scattering them across the living room. Yanking my phone out of my bag I dialed the first number that popped into my mind.

“Hello?”

“You son of a bitch. How dare you.”

“Lia? What are you tal—”

“Fuck you, Nathan. Don’t play innocent with me. Whatever your plan was for tonight just blew up in your face.”

Tremors shook every nerve in my body. I paced the room like a caged lion.

“You’re upset. What happened?”

“If you think for one minute I’m going to allow this to continue, you are sorely mistaken. I don’t care who your father is, I’m getting a restraining order.”

Muffled voices filled the background. I strained to hear what they were saying.

“I swear to you. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m at my parents’ house. Let me come over—”

“The photos, Nathan,” I shouted. “The envelope of photos that was waiting for me at my door. Who do you have following me this time?”

“Nobody,” he answered quietly.

Rage shook me to the core. I hated him. I hated his lies.

“I don’t believe you.”

A long, exasperated sigh cascaded through the phone. “You’re going to have to trust me on this one. I don’t have anyone following you. All the things I told you at dinner were true. I want this to be a time for us to heal. Why would I do something like this? I have my faults but I’m not that arrogant.”

Tears bullied their way out of my eyes, rolling fast down my cheeks. He sounded so goddam sincere. I couldn’t think straight.

“Lia, let me come over. Let me help you.”

“No.” I ended the call.

CHAPTER TWO (#ufb0853c8-e94e-5f7f-a081-bc8288abec8d)

I navigated the streets of downtown Orlando in a fog. The loud blast of a truck’s horn jolted my attention. I swerved sharply, avoiding a collision. Sitting at the red light, I shook from fear and anger. By the time I arrived at Stephanie’s condo I needed a stiff drink.

She opened the front door as I trudged up the walkway.

“Jesus Christ, Lia.” She ran out, grabbing the overnight bag from my hands. “Were you followed here? Are you alright?”

“I don’t know.”

“Come inside. I already have wine poured.”

Smiling a bit, I followed her into the kitchen. The table was set for a romantic dinner for two. Raising my brows, I glanced at my best friend. Her jet-black hair, which she was letting grow out, sat perfectly arranged in a low bun. She looked fresh off the pages of Vogue in her lime green tank dress.

“Am I interrupting something?”

“Um, well.” She blushed. “Sorta. But don’t worry about it. This is more important.”