Chapter Twenty-Three

“You didn’t bring the girl with you?” Natasha stared across her desk, locking eyes with Arlianna, this woman she despised more than any other.

“Obviously, not,” Arlianna said. “I couldn’t lure her outside.”

“That’s bull crap. If anyone can lure a subject beneath the sky, it’s you.” Natasha pressed her holocom, turning off the system. The last thing she needed was for Lexi to overhear.

“It wasn’t the proper time.” Arlianna picked up one of Natasha’s old-fashioned pencils, something she always did to irk Natasha.

But today, Natasha wasn’t going to let it get to her.

“Well, if anyone knows about timing, it’s you.” Natasha knew they were both thinking about the time Arlianna caught her in bed with Seth.

Not that she wasn’t happy with Seth now. But back then, it was more lust than love. A one-night stand that should never have been. She had planned on never seeing him again, with Mason being none the wiser.

But Arlianna, with her goody two shoes honesty had convinced Natasha to confess to her fiancé. No one should start a marriage with secrets. Arlianna was sure Mason would be forgiving. What bull. Once Mason knew Natasha had been unfaithful, that was the end.

“How many times do I have to tell you I’m sorry? My god, Nat, it’s been twenty years. I didn’t think Mason would call off the wedding.” She leaned forward, setting her elbows on Natasha’s desk.

“No, you didn’t think at all.” Natasha twirled her chair around, keeping her back to Arlianna.

“That’s not true. I thought he’d understand. I was saving you from starting off your marriage with a lie. Something you wouldn’t have been able to live with, and you know I’m right. Or you did back then.”

Natasha spun back around. “All I knew was I loved Mason more than life itself. You were my friend, and I trusted you. I looked up to you. I believed you.”

Arlianna rose from her chair. “Oh, Nat, that’s bull. If you had loved Mason, you wouldn’t have slept with Seth. And if Mason really loved you, it would have worked out. He wouldn’t have cared about a one-night fling. It was obvious that marriage wasn’t meant to be.”

“Well, that’s water under the bridge.”

“But our friendship doesn’t have to be.”

God, it was pitiful, hearing Arlianna plead. “Sit back down. We’re not done here. You bring me Jessica, complete this match, and Renn remains unharmed. I see he is still in Jessica’s time.” Natasha tapped her screen. “I assume you fired him.”

“I did.”

Natasha kept her eyes on Arlianna. Not one single blink from her ex-friend. Arlianna really was good at hiding her emotions.

Too bad Natasha was going to have to fire her, too, once this fiasco was over. Then see how the most famous of all matchmakers dealt with her future. But by then Natasha’s position in the company would once again be secure.

“That’s good. No one wants a half-assed apprentice, now do they?” Natasha leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest. “Once the girl has been transported to Frank, cammed and established, you will have a new apprentice and we can resume activity as normal.”

“And I have your word about Renn?” Arlianna asked.

“He can do whatever he pleases, as long as he stays out of my way,” Natasha lied. Of course, Renn couldn’t be allowed to come back and destroy her reputation.

“I’ll make sure of that. I can set him up at the museum,” Arlianna said, tucking her curly hair behind her ears. “And I’ll get Jessica.”

“Good.”

Arlianna’s obligation now included calming Jessica. When it came to matchmaking, Arlianna was known for always following the rules. This would keep her out of the way while Natasha went after Renn.

“Are we done here?” Arlianna stood up.

“We’re done. For now.” Natasha turned on her holocom. “I’ll be watching you.”

“I’m sure you will.” Arlianna smiled. “And I’ll be watching you.”

For one split second Natasha remembered how they used to laugh together as small girls. Bait each other and play silly games. But this one wasn’t silly. Her future depended on its outcome.

Pushing her memories aside, Natasha turned to her screen. Renn’s data showed several visits to 1987. Whatever was that fool doing?