I freeze.
Rose?
CHAPTER 20
NATALIE
When I was leaving Chicago,I had gone back to the hotel room, packed my things, and booked the next flight home. I had completely forgotten about my brother’s ex and her lunch invitation.
Hurrying out of the elevator, I enter the marbled lobby and look around.
It doesn’t take me long to spot the blonde woman in the navy blue dress sitting in the waiting area, her hair arranged in elegant curls framing her pretty face.
I approach her, and she jumps to her feet, beaming, “Natalie. I hope I didn’t bother you.”
“What are you doing here, Rose?”
She gives me a sheepish smile. “Well, I was visiting my aunt here and thought to look you up. You never made it to our lunch that day.”
“I’m sorry,” I apologize, feeling horrible. “I ended up leaving that very night, and I didn’t know how to get in touch with you. Please tell me you didn’t wait for me at the restaurant.”
She struggles to maintain her smile. “I thought you didn’t show up because you didn’t want to meet me. I really did just want to catch up with you. I thought I would try again one last time before I left for LA. Do you think we could go get a drink?”
Rose has always been sweet, and I don’t have the heart to turn her down again. Checking my watch, I nod with a small smile. “Let’s get that lunch. There’s a very nice French restaurant a few blocks from here.”
“That sounds wonderful.” She loops her arm around mine in a familiar manner. It’s not unlike her. She was always very touchy when she was dating my brother. I glance at her discreetly as we walk out of the building. I have so many questions, but I don’t want to dig up the past. At least not too much.
The French restaurant I recommended is usually busy during dinner hours, but lunch is always slow. When we arrive, we are seated quite quickly with menus handed to us. Rose goes over the wine menu, and I shake my head. “No alcohol for me.”
“Why not? They have such a wonderful selection.”
My personal business has been shared enough as it is, so I simply say, “I don’t drink during work hours. But I’ll have a glass of fresh juice if they have it.”
The waiter brings me a separate menu for the juices, and I choose one. Disappointed, Rose orders a glass of wine, and then we go over the menu. I’ve been to this place several times, so I know most of it. I get a duck salad, which I know my nausea will be able to tolerate. Once she’s placed her order, I try not to let the awkwardness get to me.
“So how have you been, Natalie?” She looks at me warmly. “I was surprised to know that you were working for Ethan, of all people.”
“It was a strange coincidence. He acquired the company I was working for.”
“You’re the head of HR, aren’t you? How exciting! You and Ethan must be working closely together.”
I don’t remember telling her that I was working for Ethan, but then, if she found the company I was working for, it’s not that hard to find out who my boss is. And then there are those pictures floating around in the magazines of the event we attended together.
“Well, the company is going through a restructuring period,” I laugh lightly, “so you can probably say that.”
“When did you start working for him? Lucas must have some opinion about the fact that the two of you are working together.”
“He must have,” I say vaguely. However, the mention of my brother has my smile fading fast.
“How is Lucas?”
I struggle to stay composed. “We’re both very busy with our own lives. We don’t keep in touch all that often.”
“That’s a surprise.” Rose blinks. “He used to dote on you. So, he doesn’t know you’re with Ethan?”
Something about the way she phrases that has me tensing. “He’s my boss. What’s that got to do with Lucas?”
Rose just chuckles. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I just meant that Ethan’s got a reputation. I know the media used to play around with it, but since we move in the same circles, I know of his nature firsthand.”
