Jared's Counterfeit Fiancee - Brenda Jackson [19]
Cybil’s smile suddenly faded before she continued. “But, once you and Jared break this engagement everyone will go back to feeling sorry for you again and wondering how you could let two good men get away.” She met Dana’s gaze. “I have a feeling I’m not going to like the way this will turn out, Dana.”
Dana wasn’t all that crazy about how things were going to turn out, either, but it was too late now. She had given Jared her word. She opened her mouth to tell Cybil not to worry, that in the end things would work out okay when the phone on her desk rang.
Grateful for a moment’s reprieve she reached over and picked it up. “Hello?”
“Good morning, Dana.”
Dana couldn’t help the flutter that suddenly went through her midsection upon hearing the husky, sexy sound of Jared’s voice. It would not have been so bad if she didn’t also remember their kiss yesterday, not to mention the feel of his hand on her thigh. His kisses were getting bolder, hotter and more earth-shattering.
“Good morning, Jared.” She glanced over at Cybil then quickly looked away when she saw how intently her friend was watching her.
“Have you seen this morning’s paper?” he asked.
She considered his question and glanced over at Cybil again. This time she gave her a pointed look, one that requested privacy. However, Cybil just sat there, ignoring her request.
Dana sighed after giving Cybil a mean look and answered Jared’s question. “Yes, I’ve seen it.”
“I apologize for not letting you know about it, but I didn’t know myself until I read it this morning. It seems my mother’s happiness is getting the best of her.”
“Yes, it appears that way, doesn’t it,” she responded, not knowing what else she could say. From his tone he didn’t seem upset. In fact there appeared to be an underlying tenderness and warmth in his voice. Or was she just imagining things?
“Will you have lunch with me?” he asked.
“Lunch?”
“Yes, at Jenzen’s.”
Dana’s eyes widened. Jenzen’s was an exclusive restaurant in North Atlanta. She’d heard that reservations had to be made well in advance, oftentimes weeks. It was certainly not someplace that she frequented.
“Lunch is fine. Do you want me to meet you there?” she asked. She hated admitting it but she was looking forward to having lunch with him and a part of her chafed at the thought of that.
“No, I’ll come pick you up. Is eleven-thirty okay?”
She checked her watch. She had a meeting that would be ending a few minutes before then. “Yes, that will be fine. I’ll be standing in front of the building.”
“Okay. I’m looking forward to seeing you again, Dana.”
Dana hung up the phone, closed her eyes and bowed her head wondering how Jared could set off so many emotions within her. Emotions she’d never felt before.
“You okay?”
Dana snatched her head up. She had forgotten Cybil was still in her office. “Yes, I’m fine. That was Jared.”
Cybil smiled. “So I heard.” She then stood. “Enjoy lunch but promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“That you won’t get yourself in too deep. I saw the expression on your face when you heard Jared’s voice.”
“And?”
“And I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
Dana waved her hand in the air, dismissing Cybil’s concerns. “Hey, I know the score between me and Jared. I’m merely doing him a favor.”
“Some favor. I’ve seen him before and he’s a hottie, every woman’s fantasy. How far do you plan to take this pretended engagement? Will the two of you get intimate?”
Dana swallowed. “Intimate?”
Cybil grinned. “Yeah, you know, sleep together. Share the same pillow. Bump and grind. Have orgasms.”
The scenario that suddenly played out in Dana’s mind had her heart beating so fast she thought she would pass out. “Of course not!”
“Are you sure about that?”
Before Dana could respond Cybil opened the door and walked out.
Jared gazed across his desk at Sylvester Brewster, hating to admit that he hadn’t looked forward to their meeting.
At twenty-eight, Sylvester was a well-known recording artist who toured the country performing songs that consistently hit the number-one spot on