Page 36 of Flame Kissed
“I didn’t say that, did I? I just have questions, why don’t you tell me about her.”
“Well, her name is Veronica, and she’s got this dog. His name is Sebastian. He’s a rescue pitbull and a total sweetie.”
“I’m glad you got along with her dog, but I was asking about the human.”
“Well, why would you want to know about her?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because you are not-so-subtly trying to send us on a date.”
“Hike! I said hike not date. You’re the one who said date.”
Rory sighed. “I appreciate it. I really do, but I’m just not looking for a relationship right now. Just leave it.”
“I still don’t know what you’re talking about, but fine. I’ll drop it.”
“Thank you. I?—”
Her words were cut off by the siren. It looked like it was going to be a busy afternoon.
10
ADAZE
Adaze was sitting on her sofa, pounding furiously on her keyboard when Diana arrived. She handed Adaze her coffee with a frown. Adaze didn’t even acknowledge it, she just kept working. She could feel Diana’s growing frown. For a moment, neither of them said a word as her assistant stood there studying her.
Adaze wasn’t going to start this conversation. If Diana was so determined to have it, she could make it happen herself. Well over a minute passed and she continued to stand there. Adaze was getting close to breaking and demanding to know what she wanted when Diana made her move.
“Well, you seem to be in a lovely mood today. How are things with Leilani?” she finally asked, taking her seat.
“Things are great!” She forced a tight smile without looking up from her computer. “Why wouldn’t they be great?”
“Well, that’s… great?”
“It is,” she said a bit too quickly.
Diana took a minute, nodding. When Adaze didn’t continue, she did. “Okay, well, why don’t you tell me about her?”
Adaze looked up, a frown on her face. She studied the other woman for a moment before shaking her head with a sigh. “Diana, I’m your boss. It would be inappropriate to talk about my romantic relationship with you.”
“Oh come on, when has our relationship not been personal? Or do you not remember that gala right after you hired me where I held your hair back after you drank too much of that sweet champagne after eating a single slice of pizza on the drive in? Besides, I’m not asking for all the dirty details or anything. I just want you to tell me what you like about her.”
“Oh, is that all?”
“It is. Your happiness is very important to me. I’ve got to make sure she’s up to standard.”
Adaze couldn’t help the smile forcing its way onto her face. “I don’t think you need to worry about that.”
“Then tell me something. Anything. What was the first thing you noticed about her? Come on,” she whined.
For a while Adaze didn’t say anything. Diana’s face fell, accepting her silence, then Adaze’s face broke out in a smile so wide it hurt. “Her spirit, that was the first thing I noticed about her. She’s so fearless and her spirit shines so bright like sunlight itself. I’ve never seen anyone like her.”
“High praise coming from you. I’ve seen the circles you travel.”
“The trust-fund babies from the gala circle aren’t fearless, they’re naive at best and careless at worst. It’s not the same thing. Not even close.”
“What do you mean?”
Adaze sighed, setting her laptop off to the side. She ignored the dramatic gasp Diana let out at the gesture. “When we met, it was that day on the yacht. I told you about that, but I didn’t tell you about her. When my boat was sinking, it got to a point where things weren’t looking good. They were supposed to have support, but there wouldn’t have been enough time and a storm was starting. She knew I would die if she didn’t act, and she didn’t hesitate. She threw caution to the wind—going against protocol—and jumped into the water to save me. She swam who knows how far in the freezing cold water, climbed into my boat and helped me to the deck. Even when we got there, we weren’t safe. There was no good way to get us off. This insane, wonderful woman talked me into getting on her back while she jumped into the water, and she swam both of us to the boat.”