What Gia wasn’t prepared for was a taxi pulling up next to her and Roger getting out. “Sorry it took me so long.”
“What happened to your car?”
“I didn’t have it with me.” Roger said as he let her slip into the taxi then joined her.
“Roger, I didn’t want to pull you away from work.”
“Are you kidding me? That text message pretty much changed all the plans for the day.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I have no idea why they wanted me there anyway. I’m not a Henderson.”
“You were at Henderson Towers?” She hadn’t seen him, then again, she’d been trying to focus on what was important, getting the job.
“I was. And tonight I was supposed to have dinner with Caydan and Allyson.” Pulling her hand to his lips he added, “But I’d much rather have dinner with you.” Gia chuckled. Roger asked, “Was that funny?”
“Yes, because I’m having dinner with Caydan and Allyson tonight.”
Roger laughed. “So much for having you all to myself.”
There’s always later.“I’m sure we can sneak out before dessert.”
“That’s my girl.”
Am I? She wished that was the case. Maybe then she’d tell him that she was having strong feelings for him and wished they could explore what had started to bloom. But tomorrow she’ll go back to Maplesville to settle things for her parents. And Roger will go back to whatever it was he did.
Don’t overthink it. Tomorrow comes fast enough. Just enjoy the moment. You don’t get many of them.
Roger never should’ve mentioned dinner. He easily could’ve blown off his friends. But he didn’t believe Gia would’ve followed suit. That was the problem with rule followers. Little white lies didn’t work for them. He had to admit, that could be an issue. He knew that look on Caydan’s face. Caydan had a reason for asking them both to dinner. Roger wasn’t even listening to Gia tell the story of how they had met.
“That is so romantic,” Allyson said.
“I’m not sure romantic would be the term I’d use, but it was memorable,” Gia responded.
Roger was trying to ignore the ladies endless chatter. But it beat the hell out of whatever was on Caydan’s mind. It was a conversation they’d have later. Alone. Or at least he hoped so.
“Why do you think my brother called a family meeting?” Caydan asked.
“I’m not privy to what your brother does,” Roger replied.
Caydan turned to Gia and asked, “You’re new with the company. Do you know?”
Roger was about to snap and tell Caydan to keep her out of it, but even though Gia’s eyes widened, she calmly said, “I’m so new that I start in two weeks. When we met earlier, I was leaving my interview.”
Good girl.She didn’t lie, only stated facts that didn’t include anything of importance. Was that intentional? Because if so, that was another skill he didn’t realize she had. One she’s going to need around the Hendersons.
Roger watched as Caydan continued to stare at Gia. He knew this wasn’t good. Caydan was fixated on her for some reason. Did he really suspect she knew something? That would be crazy, if it was true.
Fuck.This could all blow up. Brice would be pissed. Yet did he really think this kind of stuff would stay buried? The only way that would’ve happened would have been if he ripped that photo up the moment he’d seen it. Once Brice wanted to know more, it was inevitable others would also learn the truth. The only difference, Caydan was still building the bond with his family. Having Brice hide shit wasn’t the way to keep the brotherly trust. And covering for Brice isn’t a way for me to hold a friendship either.
This wasn’t a situation he wanted to be in. Just a little over a year ago Roger was digging up dirt for Caydan to take the Hendersons down. Now Roger was out to protect them. Even Brice. He never thought he’d need to worry about Gia in this crazy mix. That’s because he never imagined caring for her the way he did, never mind bringing her into this circle. The Hendersons, including Caydan, were all capable of taking care of themselves. Gia, even though he told her how strong she was, still had a vulnerable side to her. And that he’d protect at all cost.
“All I know is there’s something Brice isn’t telling us,” Caydan said, looking at Gia.
“She said she doesn’t know anything,” Roger said in a flat tone. If Caydan pushed the subject, that tone was going to change. Before Caydan tried again, Allyson interjected.
“Maybe it’s the stress of the baby coming that was getting to him?”