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“I wouldn’t say that. They just haven’t come up in conversation.”
She nods, writing something down in her notebook. “Has he mentioned his relationship with his father?”
“I, um… shouldn’t you speak with him about this?”
She waves her hand, dismissing my concern. “You know how men are. Never good at articulating what they’re feeling. But women like you and me?” She motions between us as if we’re in on a secret together. “We can interpret it, can’t we?”
Is she trying to get me to tattle on him? As if I’m so desperate to be quoted in her magazine. “What makes you think he confides anything in me?”
She gives me a knowing smile I don’t quite like. “I’ve seen the looks you’ve been exchanging. You’re obviously close.”
Looks? “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, come on. No need to play shy. He looked to you for approval when we described the vision we had for the shoot. When I asked him about his upcoming plans. Even a minute ago when Paul said he wanted more poses from him.”
I hitch one shoulder up, suddenly self-conscious of my actions. I hadn’t realized Connor and I had even looked at each other all that often. “I’m his assistant. He depends on me.” It’s the only explanation I can give her.
“For how much?”
There’s an edge to her voice I don’t quite understand. “What do you mean?”
“Are you actually the brains behind this little duo? He has to run everything by you first?”
My brow furrows. “No. I don’t have anything to do with his decisions.”
“So what kinds of things has he decided for Bishop Industries, then?”
Another question trying to trick me? “You know, you’re going to have to excuse me. Is there a bathroom around here?”
She gives me a fake smile, and I see in her eyes she knows the jig is up. “Down the hallway to the left.”
Does Angelina have any idea her contact doesn’t seem to have Connor’s best interests at heart?
I take my time in the restroom, surprised to see Connor pacing a few feet away as I exit.
“Is everything okay?” he asks upon seeing me, face stern.
What happened between a few minutes ago and now? “Um, yeah. Why?”
He steps closer, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know, you looked uncomfortable talking to Tiffany, and then you left. I wanted to make sure you’re all right.”
He was concerned? About me?
“She was asking some strange questions,” I admit. “Ones she didn’t ask you.”
“Like what?”
“Like if you talked about your brothers or your dad. She was fishing for gossip it seemed like.”
He rubs his bottom lip with his thumb, looking down at the floor. “What’d you tell her?”
“Nothing. Whatever you say to me is always in confidence.”
He looks up, the blue of his eyes seeming to flash for a moment before he glances away. “Thanks. I…” He clears his throat softly. “It’s hard to find people in this business you trust.”
Does that mean he trusts me?
The rush of pleasure at his implication turns icy as I remember he can’t truly trust me. I’m a spy. A seductress. And if I don’t deliver, Dad made the consequences clear. On top of that, this job won’t last forever. Connor won’t be there to protect me from the fallout.