Page 58 of Cryptic Curse

Fuck.Blow.That’s what I do, and it’s sure as hellnotentertaining for me.

“Mr.Wolfe, it’s an honor to have you in our home,” my father says, joining us.He claps a hand on the man’s shoulder, giving him a wide smile.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Mr.Wolfe replies, not taking his gaze off me.

“I’ll leave you two to get better acquainted.”My father nods.

“Thank you, Señor Agudelo,” Mr.Wolfe says.“And trust me.If she is as wonderful as I’ve heard, you can be assured we will make our deal.”

* * *

I jerkat Jordan’s voice.

“I’m sorry, what?”I ask.

“You were a million miles away,” he says.“I was just wondering what brought you here to the States?”

“An airplane.”I give a nervous chuckle.

The last thing I want to do is tell them about my marriage of convenience and my past.It’s way too early to trauma dump on these nice people.

Lavender laughs.“Good one.But seriously, how did you end up here?”

I clear my throat and fidget with the blueberry in my hand.“My father passed away recently, and a friend of the family offered to sponsor my trip here and pay for my culinary school.”

“Wow,” Gina says.“I’m so sorry to hear about your dad.”

I simply nod.

“Me too,” Lavender says.“But it’s great that your tuition is covered.I’m taking loans for mine.”

Right.It’s great.I’m fucking luckier than shit.

I paste on a smile.“Yes, I’m very lucky.”

After all, it’s not a lie.Iamlucky that Vinnie married me, took me in, and is financing my education.I’m my father’s only heir, but his fortune will be tied up in Colombian probate for years, and most of it is dirty anyway.I don’t want a penny of it.

“What do you think of the States?”Jordan asks.“Of Austin?”

“It’s hot here, but it’s also hot in Colombia,” I say.

“Do you like water parks?”he asks.“They’re a great way to cool off.We could go sometime.”

Is he asking me out?Right in front of two other women?

“I’d like that,” I say, a little stunned.I’ve never been to a water park before.My childhood wasn’t exactly filled with fun outings.

Jordan grins at me, clearly pleased.“Great!We’ll make a plan then.”

His smile holds something else, though.

He’s attracted to me.He’s nice and handsome, but I’m married.

I glance down at my left hand.I’m not wearing a ring, of course.Vinnie’s and my marriage is in name only.Jordan has no way of knowing.

But…

I’m not interested in Jordan that way.