“But you weren’t by yourself, were you?”
There was no way to miss the rebuke in his voice. She wasn’t going to feel guilty about Lee. “I was with my boyfriend.”
“He’s an American, right? A tourist?”
“He’s here for a little while.”
He hobbled over to her desk. “I hate this. I hate that he’s using you.”
“He’s not using me. He’s dating me.”
“He’s not going to stay around,” Thomas said, frowning again. “Are you going back to America with him?”
“No.” Lee hadn’t even mentioned when he was going back, much less invited her to come along.
“Is he coming to Dubai with us? Are you coming to Dubai at all? I would like to know if you’re going to leave me high and dry.” He struggled with his cane, walking back into his office, leaving the door open for her to follow.
She had tried not to think about it. She had a good job. It paid well, and she believed in it. And he had a job back in the States that he never really talked about, but she understood it was his company. He couldn’t just leave it behind. It was too quick to make decisions.
She’d started out wanting a few weeks with him, but now she knew damn well she wanted more and she couldn’t ask for it. She’d known him for a week. She couldn’t ask him to make lifetime decisions based on a few days. “I’m going to Dubai.”
Unless Lee asked her not to and then she would most likely give up the best job she’d ever had for the chance to be with him. She was so dumb, but she knew she would regret not trying. She could forgive herself if it all imploded, but not if she didn’t try. Her stupid, hopeful heart wouldn’t shut down no matter what bad stuff happened.
“I’m glad to hear that because I would hate to think I had to go alone.” He sat down behind his desk, the cane leaning against the wood. “I’m going to see some doctors in Dubai. They think they might be able to help me with my legs.”
“That’s wonderful.” She knew how much it could change a life. Her phone vibrated in her pocket.
“I just care about you. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”
She pulled the cell out, glancing down. Her mother-in-law. Her heart sped up a little. Brandon’s mom. She hadn’t called in two years. Avery had tried everything to get the woman to talk to her.
“Someone important?” Thomas asked.
“I need to take it. Is it okay?” What if something was wrong? Or what if she finally wanted to talk? What time was it back in the States?
He nodded. “Of course, but I need you with me at that meeting. We’ll order in lunch.”
Damn it. Lee was going to be upset, but she had to work. She hated to admit it, but while she felt very comfortable with Lee, the truth of the matter was he would likely go back to the States and she would go to Dubai. “I’ll be there.”
She walked out of the office and immediately answered her phone. “Lydia? Is that you?”
Her hands were shaking.
“Look you little bitch, I told you not to contact us ever again. What do you not understand about that? Did you think sending us that magazine article would change the fact that Brandon and Madison are dead?”
The words lashed at her. “What are you talking about?”
“I don’t care what she’s doing. Do you understand? I want her dead. I want my son back. You’re a traitor. You’re a goddamn traitor, and I want you dead, too!” Her mother-in-law, once so sweet, sounded monstrous. “I hate you. I hate you. You killed them, didn’t you? You wanted it.”
The phone dropped from her hand, nausea rolling in her stomach. Tears threatened, but she was at work. She couldn’t break down now. She couldn’t cry. She had to stay strong.
“Avery, dear? Are you all right?” Thomas stood in the doorway, his eyes on her. There was an anticipatory look in his eyes as though he was waiting to see if she would break down.
She couldn’t. Not here. This was her little slice of hell, and she wouldn’t bring anyone else into it. She picked up the phone and quickly turned it off. She couldn’t help the way her voice shook. “It’s fine.”
“I can see plainly that it’s not.” Thomas made his way to her faster than she would have expected. He put a hand on her shoulder. “What was that about?”
Avery shook her head. “I’m not exactly sure. It was Lydia.”
His face softened, his hand stroking her shoulder. “It sounded as though she was a bit upset.”