Indivisible Line (26 page)

The champagne came, and after their glasses were filled, Greg raised his flute. “Here’s to closing another chapter in my life.”

Watching Cassandra’s expression change like a cartoon character in a matter of seconds made his night. Her face twitched before she cracked a smile and tilted her glass. “Another chapter?”

Greg drank half the champagne and placed his glass back on the damask-covered table. “Yes. It’s all over the news. I’m surprised you haven’t heard.”

If Cassandra suspected anything, she tried to hide it. Her expression remained bewildered. She sipped her champagne and waited, although her smile wavered a fraction. It would have been unnoticeable if Greg weren’t watching for the signs.

“No . . . I’ve been out of the loop.”

“Well, let me fill you in on the latest gossip.” He leaned forward and clasped his hands together, intending to observe Cassandra’s reaction closely. “As you already know, Cade shot me during a hunting trip in Alaska.”

She nodded, avoiding his gaze. “That’s how you met Maria, isn’t it? News about you two is driving me nuts.” Cassandra made no attempt to hide her disdain.

“Her name’s Sarah. “She saved my life after Cade left me for dead. But let’s not talk about her. As I was saying, Cade was taken into custody and is now out on bail. I guess, in a way, I want to make sure you know this so you will take extra precautions to protect yourself.”

“Oh my . . . it’s true, then?” For good measure, Cassandra released a big sigh. If he hadn’t known any better, he would have thought she cared about his well-being.

He nodded. “I don’t want anything happening to you. Even if we’re no longer, you know . . . living together”—he scrubbed his face, false worry lines creasing his forehead—“it doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

Cassandra beamed. “I like that—friends. Perhaps, we can turn it into something more again? We used to have this great connection . . .” She let her voice trail off, but her hand picked up the slack. With deliberate seduction, her fingers traced an enticing pattern on his arm, which used to send Greg into a whirlwind of lust. Not anymore, but he chose not to show it, instead taking her hand and bringing it to his lips.

Cassandra squirmed under his touch, moaning a delicate sound that made him cringe inside. He was so off the Cassandra bandwagon.

Their food order came, breaking up the intimacy of the moment. Greg smiled to himself. Pleased with his progress, he dug into his steak with satisfaction. It didn’t bother him one bit whether she misinterpreted the cause of his pleasure. If Cassandra believed they had something going on, he was more than willing to let her hang herself with her own rope.

During a rare moment when the professor had excused himself from the classroom, Jeremy hopped over a few empty seats and sat next to Sarah in the half-filled auditorium.

“It’s nice to see you back in class. I would have visited you in the hospital, but your housekeeper insisted you weren’t taking visitors.”

Leave it to Matilda to run off her friends. Sarah sighed. “I’m sorry . . . but yeah, I was quite a mess after that.”
 

“I want to make it up to you.” Jeremy’s mouth quirked into a smile.

“You don’t have to do anything. I’m fine, and as you said, I’m back. So we’re good, right?”

Jeremy nodded. “Right . . . um, I’ve been meaning to ask you this, but I guess tonight’s as good a time as any. If you don’t have anything planned after class, I’d like to invite you to dinner. Nothing heavy. Just two people enjoying an excellent meal and good company.”

There was no thinking necessary. Her social calendar hadn’t been buzzing with activities. She had nothing planned for that night or any other night, for that matter. Greg was out for the evening, and the last thing she wanted to do was sulk at home alone. Besides, their arrangement held no clauses restricting her from going wherever she wanted to go, whenever she wished. Jeremy did say it was just dinner between friends. The invitation sounded harmless, and Sarah craved a change of atmosphere—anything to get Greg out of her mind.

“I’m not dressed for going out to dinner.” Her usual attire of jeans, sweater, and knee-high boots wouldn’t fit the classy dinner scene, but a quick glance at Jeremy’s similar attire put her mind at ease.

“You can go anywhere without having to worry about what you wear. Your smile alone places you in the well-dressed category.” Jeremy’s eyes lit up, and he smiled wider.

Her lips curled at his lame attempt at flattery. “Whatever.”

“I’ll meet you after class.” Jeremy beamed before going back to his seat, sporting a big grin on his face.
 

The next two hours passed quickly. Afterward, Sarah found herself seated next to Jeremy while he wove his Mini Cooper through the city’s snarling traffic.

He pulled up in front of a restaurant. Its entrance was guarded by two humongous topiaries covered with white, twinkling lights. Even with Jeremy’s repeated assurances about their appearance, Sarah had the sinking feeling they’d be underdressed. When Jeremy handed his keys to the waiting valet, she got out of the car, the door held open by another parking attendant.

Sarah squinted in the dim lighting when they made their way into the restaurant. Little candelabras adorned the walls, and their lights flickered, sending a warm and cozy glow across the room. From her vantage point, Sarah could see little tables for two sprinkled across the room, each with candles on top, creating an intimate atmosphere. She knew right off the bat that she had been right to be worried. Most of the patrons were well dressed. It was too late to turn around and leave, so Sarah heaved a big sigh and braced herself for the expected stares. However, one look at the hostess and the smiling manager, who came to greet Jeremy like an old friend, told her to park her worries elsewhere.

“Shall we?” Jeremy took her elbow and guided her through the maze of tables, following the hostess. “Is everything all right?” Jeremy whispered in her ear before pulling a chair out for her.

“We’re dressed for a burger joint, not a place like this.” She sat down and a menu appeared as if by magic in front of her.

“Don’t worry about how we look. All you have to do is enjoy my charming company. No one will even care.”

She laughed at his easygoing manner. “Okay, I guess it doesn’t matter.”

“Anything to drink, folks?” Their server produced another one of those large libation bibles, similar to the one she’d seen when she and Greg—

Enough!
Sarah scolded herself.
No thinking of Greg tonight.
She noticed their server’s gaze lingering in her direction.

Sarah thought for a minute.
No bottle of wine this time. I’m not repeating that debacle.
“I’ll have a cosmopolitan.” That was safer. She’d seen it on television many times to know it was a cool drink that was preferred by many women. All she needed to do was nurse one drink for the duration of their dinner.

“I’ll have your Oban 18, no ice.”

Sarah leaned forward. “What is Oban?”

Jeremy leaned in, too, resting his hands close enough that his knuckles touched hers. In the faint glow of the candlelight, Sarah saw the gleam in his eyes at her question. “It’s a single-malt scotch. I’ll let you have a sip if you want. I like it. It’s very smooth, and it goes down well.”

Gibberish
, Sarah thought.
Why do people talk about alcohol as if it were alive and breathing, complete with personality?
“Sure. I’ll have to make sure you don’t drive drunk.”

“One drink over dinner isn’t going to get me plastered. And even if it did, we can walk over to the café to grab coffee afterward. That way, we get to spend more time together.” He touched her hand, and although Sarah’s first instinct was to pull away, Jeremy seemed pretty harmless.

They started an easygoing conversation, discussing their shared classes and the brutal months ahead. Their drinks came, and after a few sips of her pink drink, Sarah felt more relaxed. Jeremy’s laid-back manner put her at ease, and she began to forget her troubles. His pleasurable company and engaging personality got her talking about Beaver and her father, but she left out the uglier details. No need to let Jeremy in on her present struggles.

During a short lull in their conversation, Jeremy took her hand as if it was a natural thing to do. “I have little confession to make.”

Caught off guard, Sarah stiffened. “Okay?”

“I find you engaging and very attractive, Sarah. I’m not going to lie and pretend I’m not interested.” Jeremy continued to caress her fingers. “I guess what I’m trying to say here is, I want to see more of you.”

“I see.”
 

Sarah weighed his words. Jeremy wasn’t bad at all. In fact, he was gorgeous. His green eyes sparkled like emeralds, and he had sandy hair and a boyish, winning smile. But something was missing.

“My one concern is Mr. Andrews.”

Sarah frowned. “What about him?”

“Rumors are flying that you’re staying with him and all.” Jeremy looked rather uncomfortable. He dropped his gaze on their touching hands.

Sarah pulled away, feeling embarrassed. She had no idea why. It was inevitable that her living arrangement with Greg would come up. Glancing across the room to buy time, something—or rather, someone—caught her eye. She blinked and found Greg staring at her from the far end of the room, his expression grim. Her immediate reaction was to check out his company. Cassandra sat across from him, talking animatedly. They looked just like any couple going out for a nice dinner. A sharp ache stabbed Sarah in the chest.

Jeremy continued to talk, oblivious to the reason behind her sudden silence. “Sarah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry, and I know it’s none of my business. I like you a lot, and I’d hate for you to end up with a married man.” He tugged at her arm, his expression apologetic.

She peeled her gaze from Greg and focused back on him with a monumental effort. Her chest felt constricted, cutting off oxygen. The room seemed to grow smaller and the air thinner . . . or was it just her?

Right on the money—his date was a
she
. Although her feelings were uncalled for, Sarah found it impossible to get rid of the nagging stab of betrayal and jealousy in the pit of her stomach.
 

Summoning a response, she mock-glared at Jeremy. “Shame on you for listening to rumors, Jeremy. Don’t worry. I’m not involved with Greg in any way.”
Liar!
the damn voice screamed at her.

Relief crossed his face. “Then is it okay if I ask you out again?”

“I don’t see why not.” Her response was automatic and wrong. She wasn’t interested in Jeremy, yet here she was, accepting his invitation to distract herself from the pain caused by the man across the room. How fast her evening had turned into a nightmare.

“Then how about going to a concert with me tomorrow night?” He sprang the question like he’d been planning it all along.

“Concert?” she asked, distracted by the realization that Greg was headed their way.

“Yeah, the old man has friends who are giving away some front row tickets. It would be nice if you could join me.”
 

Greg stopped next to their table, and Jeremy straightened in his seat.

“Tomorrow’s fine. I’d be happy to go with you,” Sarah answered before she lifted her eyes in Greg’s direction, hoping he had heard what she’d said.

He exuded a quiet strength and a commanding presence, which she attributed to age and experience. Jeremy appeared inexperienced and in total awe in comparison.

“Sarah, what a surprise to see you here.” Greg’s tone was cool and devoid of emotion. He showed no embarrassment about being caught lying.

Lying? The man is married, and that’s his wife with him. What in God’s name are you thinking?
Sarah faked a smile. “I’m not sure you’ve met Jeremy. Jeremy Singer, this is Greg Andrews, my employer.”

Jeremy stood and, although she could very well see the surprise in his face, he extended his hand to Greg. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Andrews.”

Greg took his outstretched hand and clasped it. “Mr. Singer, the pleasure is mine.”

“I didn’t realize Sarah was an employee,” Jeremy commented, oblivious to the sudden tension rising between his companions.

Greg’s jaw clenched. “Yes, she is.”

“That’s good.” Jeremy swung his head in the direction of Cassandra, who was waving at Greg. “I see you are dining here with your wife.”