Page 100 of A Real Good Bad Thing
We’d opened the door.
The problem was when she wriggled against me, she murmured. “I kind of don’t care about the diamonds anymore.”
I tensed. I didn’t have that same luxury. I couldn’t walk away. The more I got lost in her, the more I risked what I loved most—even if I was dangerously close to feeling something I hadn’t dared experience in ages.
49
TOWEL THROWN
Ruby
I daubed bright red polish on my toenail, chatting with my mom on speakerphone from my perch on the end of the hotel bed. Finally, I felt relaxed. Thanks to Jake’s therapy—cocktails and cock.
Mom told me about meeting with my friend Lance and his mom. “She’s the landlord who handles the rent for that yoga studio. She also has space to lease inside a boutique in South Beach where she thinks I might be able to sell my jewelry.”
I sat up straight, sliding the brush into the nail polish container. “That’s fantastic, Mom. You could sell your jewelry from a permanent location without having to rely on craft fairs.”
“It’s not cheap.” She sounded nervous but hopeful. “But I think I should be able to pull together the money for this.”
“I’m so excited for you to have your own shop. That’s what you’ve always wanted.”
“I know,” Mom said, full of breathless joy. This could be a big step for Mom’s business. If Eli carried through with his newfound generosity, it would help with the cost. I hesitated to mention the possibility to Mom though. Eli had talked about paying her alimony, but who knew if he’d actually do it.
“Eli and I had lunch today,” I began. “He said something about Andrew having a thing for you, Mom.” I fanned my toes to dry them faster. “Do you think it’s true?”
My mother scoffed. “Eli has a jealous streak. Andrew and I have always and only just been friends, and Eli could never accept that. Which makes sense now. If you’re a cheater, you assume everyone else cheats.”
That was that. Mom had shut down the idea, and I trusted her. Andrew might have some other reason to embezzle from the company though.
“Now, tell me all about the man you mentioned the last time we spoke,” Mom said. “How is it going?”
I sighed happily, putting thoughts of nefarious deeds behind me. There were so many ways I could answer.
Better than expected.
Absolutely wonderful.
I’m falling for him, big time.
I think we could be a real couple when the trip ends.
But before I could choose what to tell my mom, the hotel phone rang on the nightstand.
“I’d better answer that, Mom. Chat with you later.”
“You’d better! I want details!”
I chuckled as I hung up one phone and lifted the receiver of the other. It was the front desk calling to inform me a package had been delivered to reception. Who knew that I was staying at this hotel?
I told the clerk I’d be right down. All the way to the lobby, I wondered if this was a repeat of the other night when the delivery had come with a side of robbery. The weight of my cell phone was heavy in the pocket of my pajama pants. Should I call Jake?
No. He was staking out Sapphire. What if my call came at an inopportune time and gave his presence away?
At the front desk, I gave my name and received a small white box—a jewelry-size box. “Who delivered it?” I asked the clerk. “Did they leave a name?”
The woman checked the notes on the computer. “It says here ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’”
Grabbing onto the reception desk for balance, I managed to keep my feet under me. With the other hand, I popped the box open with trembling fingers. Inside was a ring with a candy gem, and a note.