Code-Switching by Zena Wynn

Author:Zena Wynn
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
ISBN: 9781733367042
Publisher: Real Love Enterprises
Published: 2020-03-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Tikki

I wiped my mouth and set the cloth napkin on the table. “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me. I need to visit the restroom.”

Both men stood when I did.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Manning said. “Where are they located?”

I pointed toward a hallway set to the side and rear of the restaurant. The restaurant lighting was kept soft and low, creating a sense of intimacy. It was easy to overlook the sign in the semi-darkness.

“I’ll just follow you,” he said.

Manning was every bit of fifty years old. He had a receding hairline, bushy eyebrows, and a square face with the beginning of a jowl. His stocky build and round belly displayed his love of fine foods and wine. With my boots on, we stood about the same height.

As we walked to the restrooms, I could feel his eyes on me. Normally, Manning brought his wife with him, but tonight he’d said she was sick. Had I known she wouldn’t be present, I’d have bowed out and let Zach handle this on his own. We both didn’t need to be here. I’d come to make the numbers even.

Manning and I separated as we each entered our designated facilities. The women’s restroom was further down the hall and out of view of the main dining room. On this end of the hallway were a couple of doors marked Employee Only and a rear emergency exit.

I used the toilet, washed my hands and freshened my hair and makeup. Both were fine, but I wanted to allow Manning plenty of time to return to the table before I did. Finally, when I risked Zach coming to look for me, I exited the bathroom.

As soon as I stepped into the hallway, Manning said from behind me, “It’s about time. I thought I was going to have to come in there after you.”

Cursing under my breath, I pasted a pleasant expression on my face and turned to face him. “Excuse me?”

“I said, I thought I was going to have to come in and get you. Step over here out of the doorway. I’d like a minute to speak privately with you,” he said.

My creep radar was pinging, but it always did with this guy. “I’m sure you understand that I’m part of a team. Anything you want to say to me needs to be shared with Zach.”

Manning rubbed his jaw. “Well, now see, Zach’s good. Don’t get me wrong. I like the guy, but I think you’re the brains of this operation. If we could just powwow a minute, I’m sure we can come to an understanding.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way. As I said, Zach and I are a team. We don’t make decisions independently of each other.” I made to leave. There was a room full of people just feet away, but I didn’t feel comfortable being alone with Manning. Between the soft music playing over the speakers, the muted conversations, and sounds of cutlery clinking on plates, it felt like we were isolated.

He grabbed my arm and stopped me in my tracks.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.