Page 35 of Tell Me Something

“I don’t mind him, but I think that he tends to turn a blind eye toward bad behavior. This is kind of like being a spy.”

That garnered a smile. “You make a sexy spy.”

THE NEXT FORTY minutes were spent listening to conversations, some good and some bad. I was relieved when Josh came over because I was ready to leave.

“Are there any redeeming people who work for this company?”

“George told Ana to shut up when she called me a whore.”

His eyes flashed with fury. “Explain to me exactly how you aren’t losing your temper.”

“I know I’m not a whore, so why would I let it bother me?”

He held my gaze. “Nice try. You want to pummel her.”

Nodding, I cracked a smile. “I really do, and I think I can take her. My size six gives me a good weight advantage.”

He chuckled, scanning the room. “Oh, my money is definitely on you. Do you mind giving it another ten minutes? I’m waiting on the owner, and then we’re out of here. I can think of better things to do with my time.”

I wasn’t sure if the innuendo was intentional, but it suddenly had me hot and bothered. So much for worrying about an emotional roller coaster. At the first hint of being alone with him later, my mind flew down only one track.

“No, I don’t mind.”

Matter of fact, it gave me an opportunity to use the ladies’ room. Once I opened the door, I tried not to let the presence of the women at the sink, Ana and Helen, the HR director, make me turn around and leave.

“Haylee, you look lovely tonight,” Ana commented, too sweet to be sincere.

I smiled, replied with a thank you, and headed into a stall.

They chattered on in Cantonese, oblivious to the fact that I could understand them. But while they were laughing and carrying on, the topic of their conversation made the color drain from my face.

After taking a few minutes to compose myself, I waited until they left before returning to the party. I caught Josh’s eye at the same time an older gentleman came up to greet me.

“You must be Haylee. I’m Tom Wang, Windom’s owner.” He kissed my hand.

I tried to conjure up a genuine smile when all I wanted to do was leave. “Hello, Mr. Wang. It’s very nice to meet you.” We made small talk about the company and Hong Kong. Then he took me off guard.

“You’ve met my daughter, I take it?”

I was confused. “Uh, I’m not sure if I have, Mr. Wang.”

He waved Ana over.

Dread seeped through me.

“Ana is my daughter. She manages the office and maintains the everyday tasks now that my wife has retired.”

Surprising me, Ana told her father in Cantonese, “Haylee has been very sweet and very helpful.”

So Daddy didn’t know how nasty she could be?

“You know how I feel about speaking our language around people who don’t know it. It’s rude.” Tom smiled apologetically. “Ana was saying how helpful and sweet you were. I believe Josh said you were making your way back to your hotel soon. I’m sure it’s been a long day with flying in overnight. But I look forward to a breakfast meeting tomorrow with the both of you.”

Thankfully, he’d already spoken with Josh, so we said our goodbyes and headed out to the car.

JOSH WAS quiet on the ride back to the hotel, but in the elevator he turned to me. “What happened in the ladies’ room that had you pale as a ghost when you walked out?”

I was surprised he’d noticed. “It’s nothing.”