Chapter 11: To be or not to be.
*Aaron*
Anyone that walked into this restaurant and glanced at our
table would believe that whatever business we were discussing
was going well. What they wouldn’t know is that my personal
life is in complete shambles.
When Jane sent the address earlier today, I nearly choked on
my coffee. I’d somehow managed to convince myself that it was
all a coincidence. The restaurant where I was meeting my new
business partner happened to be the exact same place I was
having lunch with Jane and her husband.
But alas, it wasn’t a coincidence at all. The universe had a sick
sense of humor sometimes.
“…and then I told the board we need to expand into the
European market now or the Iron Fang Pack beats us to it.”
Xander’s booming laugh pulled me back to reality. I forced an
awkward chuckle that sounded like something was caught in
my throat. Xander didn’t seem to notice as he slapped the table
hard enough to make the silverware jump.
Chapter 11: To be or not to be.
He didn’t seem to notice how close he’d come to toppling the
table. He launched into a whole tirade about the Iron Fang Pack
and how we had to beat them to the punch.
I pretended to listen to his endless talk about the future of his
company, but my mind refused to focus, busy analyzing every
choice that had led to all… this. How could I focus anyway?
When all I could do was watch the door, waiting for Jane to
reappear. I raked my hand through my hair in frustration. I
wanted this lunch to be over, so I could have a moment, or two
alone with Jane.
This was all my fault anyways. I really should have hired a
private investigator to conduct a more thorough background
check on Jane. But my wolf had felt so at ease with her, so I
didn’t think it was necessary.
I’d been careless with Jane, and now it had come back to bite me
in the ass. It wasn’t bad luck, it was pure karma.
“Well, Mr. Lorenz, as I was saying about the quarterly
projections…”
“Please,” I interrupted, forcing my lips into what I hoped was a
smile. “Call me Aaron.”
Xander beamed, oblivious to my distress. I wondered if he’d still
be so cheery around me if he knew I was his wife’s fake
Chapter 11. To be or not to be.
)
boyfriend.
I swallowed hard, tasting copper. I’d been clenching my jaw so
tightly that I’d accidentally bitten my tongue. Fuck. I was
restless, my wolf was itching to be near Jane.
But even though there was a war waging inside of me, I had to
maintain a relaxed and professional expression. No one needed
to know I was dealing with an awkward situation involving my
potential business partner and his wife. I would deal with that
on my own.
“This partnership with Blackwood and LZ is truly
unprecedented in the luxury market.” Xander smiled excitedly.
“Our companies complement each other perfectly.”
I offered a nod, but I was barely listening. I was still sneaking
glances at the door Jane had disappeared through.
“…and then we’ll unveil the sapphire necklace at the gala,”
Xander continued, gesturing with his fork.
My mind was fully focused on Jane by now. I wasn’t surprised
she’d left so hastily. It explained a lot. She was angry, she
deserved to be, and I understood how she felt.
What could I say? That I didn’t know her husband was the CEO
of the company I was about to work with? Although this was a
Chapter 11: To be or not to be
fact, even to myself this reason sounded unconvincing.
“Don’t you agree, Aaron?”
I managed a weak smile. I had no idea what I was about to agree
to, but I said, “Of course. Absolutely fascinating.”
My phone suddenly vibrated against my thigh, making me jerk
slightly. I pulled out my phone to see Jane’s name flashing
across the screen. I instinctively looked up at the door, but it was
still tightly shut. I had to take this call.
“Excuse me,” I said, rising to my feet. “I have to take this.”
He nodded, going back to his food. “Of course! Business always
comes first.”
I made my way to the exit, finding a quiet corner to answer the
call.
“Alpha Aaron? Really? Did you know Xander was my
husband?” Jane yelled into the phone before I could say
anything.
Well, it was that kind of call. I knew she’d be angry, but I hadn’t
anticipated this level of anger.
“I was completely unaware, Jane. None of this was part of the
Chapter 11: To be or not to be
plan. If I had known, I would have…”
“You were laughing! You sat there throughout the entire
meeting and laughed,” she hissed. “You were clearly enjoying
this mess.”
I ran a hand through my hair. Well, damn it. “That wasn’t… I
wasn’t enjoying anything. That’s just my way of controlling
myself. My wolf urged me to bolt the second I caught your
scent.”
She scoffed. “I don’t believe you. Our plan is over, Aaron. Done.”
“Oh wait. We can still make this work,” I insisted.
“Are you insane? You want to continue pretending to date me
while collaborating with my husband? The Alpha of the
Blackwood Pack? Do you really think that’s not stupid?”
“Look, I get it. It’s awkward, but we can manage. I’m good at
compartmentalizing, Jane.” I glanced at the window of the
dining room and caught sight of Xander still sitting at the dining
table, buried in his mobile phone. Frankly speaking, Ryan is
busy with his business and doesn’t care at all.
“Are you even listening to yourself? This isn’t about what you
want anymore. I’m concerned about not making my life worse
than it already is.”
Chapter 11: To be or not to be.
Jane sounded furious. I understood her, hell, I even agreed with
her. But I didn’t want to disappoint her, not after everything
she’d told me about her situation.
I closed my eyes. I wasn’t sure what to say or do to get her to
trust me again. “Jane, we’ve come this far. There’s no reason to
throw it all away.”
“We’re done here. And we’re done with… whatever this was.”
And just like that, she ended the call. Fuck. I fumbled with my
phone, trying to call her back, but it went straight to voicemail.
My chest tightened. Shit. Somehow, it felt like I’d lost something,
something that wasn’t mine to begin with. What could I do
now? It sounded like she had her mind pretty made up. And
even though she believed this entire thing had been just a game
to me, it wasn’t.
And I didn’t know how to convince her otherwise.
From outside the restaurant window, I saw Jane return to the
table, her expression unreadable but tense. I watched as she
smiled down at Xander, playing the role of the devoted wife.
But the slight twitch in her ear, and the way the smile didn’t
quite reach her eyes gave away her discomfort.
I took a breath, tucked my phone into my jacket pocket and
Chapter 11: To be or not to be
made my way back into the restaurant.
