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When she had finished, she cast a wary glance at him. She worried he might think she was overreacting, but to her relief, Kalani looked as concerned as she felt. After a moment he asked, “Have you talked to Obsidian about this?”
Jayna shook her head. “No, not yet. I know I need to, but I don’t even know what to say. What if it’s true? What if everything that happened this past week was all a lie?”
Kalani shook his head. “I see why you might think that, but it doesn’t really make sense.”
“Doesn’t it?” Jayna said. “Obsidian Hayes, who made his fortune rebuilding manufacturing companies, decides on a whim to buy an amusement park, then he just happens to be alone in the changing room when I need help, and then he happens to be flying half-way around the world the same day I need a ride because my boyfriend…”
Jayna trailed off, the enormity of this realization sinking in.
Kalani put his arm around her. “I don’t think Sid was responsible for you and Toren breaking up.” But Jayna could hear the uncertainty in his voice. “Look, you need to talk to him and get this straightened out.”
“But I don’t know if I can trust him. What if he lies to me?”
Kalani sighed. “He might. But you have to at least give him a chance to explain himself.”
“Why?”
“Because of what you feel for him.”
Jayna pulled back. Hot tears burned her cheeks. “What I feel is angry and hurt and betrayed.”
Kalani took her in his arms. “That’s not all you feel. I’ll admit, those coincidences seem rather far-fetched, but even though I don’t know Sid well, this doesn’t seem like something he would do. He’s too direct and straight to the point.”
Jayna wrapped her arms around Kalani and sobbed into his neck. After a few minutes, she finally felt like she had regained enough control to think clearly.
Jayna kept her arms wrapped around Kalani and held on tight for what seemed an eternity, drawing strength and resolve from his strong, warm embrace. At last, she let go and whispered, “Thank you,” and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re right. I need to give him a chance to explain.”
Chapter 32
As Sid waited by the fountain, he noticed an older man with dark skin and a bald head approaching. Sid recognized him as his father’s old friend, Aadesh Ratti. The simple recognition was soon replaced by a jolt of concern. Although he didn’t know for certain, he suspected Aadesh had been his sponsor for the Order.
He thought back to his mother’s report that the Order had found his swimming and singing undignified, and concern over his enthusiastic dancing with Jayna returned. Had Aadesh seen him dancing with Jayna? Sid’s heart jumped to his throat, and the roar of the nearby fountain was suddenly deafening.
Sid’s concern eased as a warm smile crossed Aadesh’s face and he extended his hand. “It’s nice to see you again, Obsidian.”
“Same to you.” Sid returned the older man’s firm handshake.
“I hadn’t realized you would be part of the entertainment this evening.”
Sid’s face flushed. But there was a twinkle in Aadesh’s eye that gave Sid a bit of reassurance.
“There’s no need to be embarrassed about dancing with a beautiful young lady. Your father would have liked her. I know he would have liked seeing you dressed up as a merman. But more importantly, he would have been impressed by what you accomplished. She seems to bring out the best in you.”
A wave of relief washed over Sid. Apparently not everyone in the Order disapproved of Jayna and her enthusiasm after all. Aadesh had all but given their relationship his blessing.
“She really does bring out the best in me.” Sid glanced around the lobby but didn’t see Jayna. “She’ll be here any minute if you’d like to meet her.”
Aadesh raised a hand and shook his head. “Maybe another time. Keep up the good work.”
Aadesh patted his shoulder, and Sid’s heart swelled. On the surface, this short conversation had nothing to do with the Order. But he felt certain Aadesh had sought him out and all but told him his membership in the Order was on track.
As Aadesh walked away, he barely avoided colliding with a drunken woman weaving her way through the crowd. When Sid recognized the woman as Rosalind, he felt a surge of panic. What if Rosalind saw him? She would undoubtedly come and talk to him, and that was the last thing he needed for Aadesh to see.
Sid ducked behind the fountain. Hopefully Rosalind would be gone by the time Jayna returned. Rosalind was usually discrete, at least when she was sober. In her drunken state, Sid had no idea what she might say. She could easily make a simple background check seem invasive and creepy. Best to play it safe.
As he waited for Rosalind to pass, it occurred to him that Jayna had been gone for a long time. Had she maybe misunderstood where they were supposed to meet?
Sid tried calling her. When she didn’t answer, he grew concerned and he immediately called Emmaline.
