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Deja filled her water bottle at the cooler in the reception area then slipped a pill she’d taken from Nina’s mini pharmacy into her mouth. Supposed to help with anxiety, the pill needed to work. She constantly feared what Nina would do next. If Nina could get another ten thousand dollars, the first payment could be made, and Nina would breathe a little easier knowing any incriminating evidence had been destroyed. After the second payment, Deja would leave all this drama behind her for good. Getting to that point and keeping Nina’s sanity intact wasn’t going to be easy.
The phone rang, and Maggie answered it. “Please hold. I’ll see if she’s available.” Maggie peered over her glasses at Deja. “It’s Gary Thompson. Again. Are you free to speak with him?”
Deja had no desire to speak to Thompson. She’d gotten what she needed from him and didn’t think any more sexual favors would lead to more money. If she couldn’t get anything else from him, she wanted him to leave her alone.
Raquel walked into the room. “Who’s on hold?”
Maggie’s flat expression briefly shifted to worry at the strict tone of Raquel’s voice. “It’s Gary Thompson for Deja. He asked if she’s free to speak with him.”
Raquel’s eye grew wide. She stroked her hair, her habit to calm herself down when upset. “We just received the ten-thousand-dollar retainer check for our services from Mr. Thompson, so of course she’s free to speak with him. Right, Deja?”
“Yes. Give me a second to get to my desk, and I’ll take the call.” Deja hurried to her office. Unfortunately, Raquel trailed right behind her. “Hello, Mr. Thompson. Thanks for holding.”
“Deja, I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all morning. When can I see you again?”
Raquel’s stare bored into Deja.
She focused on her computer, which had a picture of her and Miles as the screensaver. “Mr. Thompson, give me one second to check my schedule.” She opened her calendar.
“Meet him at whatever time he wants.” Raquel narrowed her eyes at Deja. “I’ll handle your appointments.”
Deja nodded. “Tomorrow afternoon will work. What time is good for you?”
Thompson cleared his throat. “The sooner the better. Let’s say one. I’ll see you then.”
Deja hung up and smiled at Raquel. “All set.”
Raquel’s shoulders relaxed, and she sat in the chair across from Deja. “Good. What are you two meeting about anyway?”
“We’re going to talk about...” Deja looked away, trying to think of something.
“Probably just Silicon Valley Has a Heart’s company policies?”
Deja let out a breath. “Yes. Exactly that. I have a lot of work, so I forgot. Funny.”
An unnatural laugh erupted from Raquel. “That is funny. If you need me to help out more with clients to open your schedule for Gary, let me know. He’s our number-one priority.”
Deja would cancel the appointment as soon as Raquel wasn’t around. “Okay. Thanks.”
Raquel headed for the door. “I’ll let you get back to work. You’re doing a great job, and you’ll be getting a nice Christmas bonus. Thank you.”
After Raquel had left, Deja sank into her chair and bit her lip. Dammit! She hadn’t planned to end up back here. When she’d moved to the South Bay, she’d promised herself she’d leave that life behind her. But now, she’d gotten in over her head with Thompson. Though she’d cancel tomorrow’s meeting, Thompson’s persistence would make it difficult to get out of his clutches now.
Her phone beeped: a text from Rodney. “I’m at the coffee shop down the street. Need to talk. Meet me in 10.”
“Fine,” Deja texted back. She felt suffocated in her office and could use some fresh air. Grabbing her purse and umbrella, she left the office. “Maggie, I’m going to get a coffee. I’ll be right back.”
The short walk helped Deja relieve some stress, and the pill she’d taken seemed to be kicking in. She joined Rodney at a table. “What’s up, Rodney? Is everything okay?”
“No. I want to know what’s going on with you and Nina.”
Deja had assumed Rodney wanted to talk about their relationship. “What do you mean?”
“Cut the bullshit. Something’s up with you two. I’m Nina’s husband, and I have every right to know.” Rodney usually reserved his firm tone for Nina.
“Nothing’s up. And you said you were planning on becoming Nina’s ex-husband. Why are you so concerned about her all of a sudden?”
“Don’t try to change the subject. If you won’t tell me what’s going on, you’re not welcome at my house anymore. I’m going to get to the bottom of this whether you help me or not.” Rodney stood.
“It’s Nina’s house too. You can’t tell me I can’t see my friend.”
“I just did. And stop saying you are her friend.” Rodney stomped out of the coffee shop.
Deja left too and sulked back to the office. Rodney trying to find out what was going on would only further complicate her life. She was in over her head, and the best thing for her and Miles would be to leave the Bay Area altogether. Sure, she’d have to get another job and find somewhere else to live, but she couldn’t face the alternative of staying and having everything blow up in her face. Moving would provide a clean start for her and Miles, which she desperately needed. But she would only be able to go anywhere after she had the full fifty thousand dollars.
She had to do something else before she left the area—to finally get something off her chest. She picked up the phone and dialed. “Mom, it’s me.”
“Deja, it’s so good to hear from you.”
“I need to see you. There’s something I need to tell you, and I want to do it face to face.”
“Sure. Just tell me the time and place, and I’ll be there.”
“Same diner tomorrow at lunch. I’ll see you then.”
The time had come for Deja to unload some of the burden she’d been carrying around for almost a decade. Maybe with a lighter load, she’d finally be able to move on.