Don’t Love, Don’t Lose

At least, until he figured it out, which she was sure he would.

She was done and chatting with her aunt by the time the meeting was over and the four people who’d been with Malone came trooping out. She looked at them – three men and one woman, not ideal numbers – and tried to match face to name and terminal. The woman was easy, of course.

The men – two of them looked like they’d been cut from the same cloth. They were almost from the same mold. One had lighter blond hair than the other, but other than that, she might have mixed them up. Preppy white boys who thought it was fine to look her over as if she was a piece of meat.

She ignored them. The Neo-Nazi supporter was probably one of them.

The woman was dressed nicely, but not expensively. She wore a bright purple scarf and a bright pink lipstick that looked bold, not girlish. The suit was nothing special, but she was pretty, and she was frowning. Her Latina heritage was visible in her olive toned skin, dark eyes, and strong eyebrows. A very striking young woman, thought Jasmine.

The last one was the only black person there other than Aunt Della. But he was a black man from a fairly rich background. It was obvious in the way he dressed, the way he carried himself, and the way he nodded at Jasmine as if she didn’t matter at all.

But that wasn’t right – Malone was coming out, and there was another man with him. A pretty boy, thought Jasmine. Rita would definitely like him, with those baby blue eyes and corn colored hair. He was trim and tall, though not as tall as Malone. He looked gym fit, and he looked like he would always be ready for a good laugh.

A very likeable man. But she hadn’t been given any information about him. Jasmine did not appreciate that.

“Ah, Della. Roger, this is Della Simone. She’s Baltimore’s Jennifer.”

Roger whistled.

“Those are some impressive shoes to fill, Ms. Simone! I’m Roger Vickley. I’m a friend of Tony’s. If I insist that you call me Roger, could I perhaps call you Della? I came in when you’d stepped out, but Tony shared half his quiche with me and I feel like I know you already. I couldn’t possibly call you Ms. Simone after eating that glorious quiche. It’s the best quiche I’ve ever had in my life.”

Charmed, Aunt Della laughed.

Jasmine frowned.

She didn’t like charming men. Rita would definitely like him. She’d have to be careful not to let the two meet. Roger Vickley looked like exactly the kind of slick operator who’d have Rita crying her eyes out yet again.

Not if she could help it.

“And you must be the very helpful and intelligent Jasmine. Tony didn’t tell me that you’re lovely to go with that.”

“Perhaps because it’s irrelevant. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Vickley. Mr. Malone, the scheduling software and an instruction manual have been installed on all systems. I hope you will find it helpful. You have everything you need.”

Ignoring the two men, she turned to Aunt Della.

“I need to go back to work now. I have a lot of catching up to do. See you on Sunday, Aunt Della?”

“Of course, Jas. I’ll make sure you have some excellent food to take home with you, too. My girl doesn’t eat enough. Not enough meat on her bones.”

“Since I’m not going to be slaughtered, that shouldn’t matter as long as the meat there is doesn’t turn to fat, Aunt Della. Now, you be good and don’t have too much fun, you hear me? Goodbye, gentlemen.”

Jasmine got as far as the elevator.

“Wait, Ms. Turner.”

Jasmine turned, resigned. Of course the stupid elevator was stuck three floors below her. Of course it was.

“I need to see you this evening.”

“I need to get my work done, Mr. Malone. My actual work. You will remember, perhaps, that I don’t exactly work for you. This is more something I’m doing for my aunt than anything else. I’ll be busy tonight. And I have a cat.”

She had no idea why she’d said the last part. It was nothing to him if she had Lucy. Why had she said it?

“Well, your cat is very lucky. You do have to eat, and it sounds like Della freezes food for you.”

“She does.”

What did that have to do with him?

“Excellent. I know that Della is probably the best cook in the county. I’ll see you at eight, Ms. Turner. Try not to be late.”

Jasmine opened her mouth to object, but he cut her off.

“I will see you, Jasmine. And you can think of it as work if you like. Now, don’t frown like that. Your aunt is watching. She will be so disappointed if she thinks you’re not being nice to me. I don’t know where you get your prickly nature from. Ah, your elevator is here. What excellent timing. Take care, Jasmine. I’ll see you tonight.”

Dazed and a little confused, Jasmine got in the elevator, thoroughly outmaneuvered by an obvious master. This was getting far more complicated than she could’ve imagined.