Fall into Me (Heart of Stone #2)(48)
Author: K.M. Scott

"I’m happy to report that nothing happened between them, you know, sexually. If you ask me, he doesn’t seem interested in that from her at all. And she gives off no vibe that she wants him. I think it’s a case of she’s too nice and he knows it."

I handed the pictures back to Daryl, my gaze still fixed on the last one of Nina smiling warmly at Cal as she gave him money. "I’m wondering if it’s time I paid our friend Cal a visit."

"If you’re asking me, I say no. Don’t bother yourself with this. Deal with your lady. I really don’t think she’s planning some kind of rendezvous. I think she’s just naive and wants to help out an old friend who’s down on his luck. She doesn’t know this is his game. Let her know what’s going on and I guarantee you I won’t have any more pics of them together."

I thought about Daryl’s suggestion and nodded my agreement. I didn’t expect to see anything more from him about Nina and Cal, but it was best to keep an eye on loverboy for a while longer. Standing from my chair, I walked around to lead him out. "Keep on him for a little while. I want to be able to show without a doubt that he’s scamming women."

"No problem, Tristan. Want to schedule a time to meet after Christmas? Say, the Friday after?"

Patting him on the back, I escorted him to Michelle’s desk so she could mark the date on my calendar. "That’s fine. If I don’t see you before, have a merry Christmas, Daryl."

"You too, Tristan. Enjoy your holiday with your lady."

When he was out of earshot, I turned to Michelle. "I’m going to be out of the office until after the holidays. The same order as before applies. Do not let Karl in, but I want you to tell him I’ll be in Dallas for Christmas when he asks."

"Okay. I will, Mr. Stone," she said quietly, as if her agreement was to be a secret too. "Is everything okay?"

I ignored her question as I spied the gift box at the back of her desk, evidence that Angelo had gotten her the Christmas gift I’d wanted. I’d told him to choose a necklace, something classic but nice, leaving him as much room to choose as he liked.

She blushed and looked back at the box. "You didn’t have to go to such trouble, Mr. Stone. It’s lovely."

Michelle knew as well as I did that I hadn’t gone to any trouble since Angelo had done all the leg work. Smiling, I said, "It’s the least I can do to make up for years of not doing enough. I hope he picked something you like."

She turned back toward me with the necklace laid across her palm. A white gold necklace with a diamond and pearl pendant, it was very much her style—classic and understated. Thank God for Angelo because if I had to pick out gifts like that, I’d likely be standing dumbfounded for hours in front of the counter at Saks.

"I love it. Thank you."

"I hope you have a nice holiday, Michelle. Make sure security locks the suite as you’re leaving on Monday. I’ll see you when I get back."

"Monday? You don’t want me here on Christmas Eve, like every other year?"

Suddenly, I felt like Ebenezer Scrooge. I had made her work every other Christmas Eve since I’d started at Stone Worldwide. I was there, so it had never occurred to me that she shouldn’t be there working too.

Shaking my head, I smiled at her. "No. Enjoy your holiday, Michelle."

"You too, Mr. Stone. I hope it’s a happy one."

I didn’t continue the conversation, silently praying that Nina and I would have a happy Christmas. It was our first, and I wanted it to be perfect for her. But first, I needed to find out the rest of the story from Amanda Cashen’s sister. After making arrangements to fly out that afternoon, I took care of some business and headed back to the house to find Nina, my stomach in knots about what I’d find in Atlanta.

Chapter Eighteen

Tristan

The flight was thankfully uneventful, even though the smoothest plane ride was still terrifying for me. I spent the entire time sitting like a statue in my seat while Nina talked about what she planned to do for the Atlanta suite, intentionally trying to take my mind off the trip. I hadn’t exaggerated about wanting to join the Mile High Club with her when I’d teased her about it, but the minute I stepped onto the plane, it was like every other time I’d flown since the crash. My heart raced and I didn’t feel like I was getting enough air in my lungs, as if someone had their hands wrapped around my neck and their fingers were pressing against my throat, slowly strangling me. None of the tricks the doctors had given me worked, but I couldn’t help but smile at Nina’s attempt to make the flight bearable.

The Atlanta Richmont was all decked out for the Christmas holiday with a twenty-five foot evergreen tree decorated with gold and red ornaments as the focal point in the lobby. It resembled the kind of tree my mother used to love for the holidays.

"Tristan, this hotel is gorgeous! Do all of them look like this?" Nina asked as she swiveled her head left and right to take in all the view.

"Pretty much. Some are better than others. This is my first time here too, but I must say it’s not bad."

She jabbed me in the ribs with her finger and grimaced. "Always so understated. This place is great!"

I leaned down to kiss her and whispered, "I’m glad you like it. Let’s hope you think the same way when you see the suite."

Located on the top floor of the hotel, the Peachtree Suite was one of two suites that took up the space a penthouse in other hotels would. I’d originally chosen this suite instead of the other Dogwood Suite because I’d hoped it would be a good way to ease Nina back into work. Unlike in Dallas, with its ugly gold everywhere, the designers my father had hired for Atlanta were top notch, so all she’d have to do was choose a piece or two she loved and she’d have succeeded.

Nina followed me into the suite and whistled behind me. "This is even nicer in person than it was online. I’m still not sure what artwork I could pick to improve on it, though."

I poured myself a drink to calm my nerves from the plane and what I was about to do. "I’m sure whatever you pick will be great, Nina."

Wrapping her arms around me, she pressed her cheek to my back. "Is there something wrong? I know you said you hate flying, but all of a sudden, you seem different."

I put my glass down on the bar and placed my hands over hers on my chest. "Nothing wrong. I’m always like this after a flight."

"You sure? Anything I can do?" she asked sweetly, making me wish I could just tell her what was making my stomach twist in knots. I couldn’t. Not yet, anyway. I had to do this alone, but I hoped that once I met with Jessica Cashen that all the secrets I’d kept from Nina could finally come out.