Too Little, Too Late by Victoria Christopher Murray Read Free Book Online Page B

He had to wait for her words to fade away before he spoke, “I’m sorry. I thought by now…” He paused, and his eyes scanned her face. “Natasia, maybe this isn’t going to work.”
    She frowned. “What are you talking about?”
    “You. And me. Working together. It’s going to be a problem.”
    “Not for me.”
    “But what you’re saying…” He stopped for a moment. “I never meant to hurt you.”
    In her eyes, he saw all of her anger-hate-sorrow. She stared right through him, giving him no relief. Then, “I asked you a question, you answered. From now on, it’ll just be business.” She pulled a folder from her portfolio.
    Hosea watched as she scanned through the papers. “Natasia.”
    She looked up.
    “Are you going to be able to handle this?”
    “Handle what?” Her anger simmered. “Handle you throwing away the best thing that ever happened to you?” She shrugged. “Of course.”
    “If what we used to be is going to get in the way…because I don’t want any drama.”
    She tossed the folder onto the table. “You’ve known me longer than you’ve known your wife. There’s never been any drama with me, Hosea.” She paused. “Look at me. Do you think I’m going to have a problem moving on? I told you how I felt and you told me how you feel. It’s done. From now on, it’s all about business.” She leaned across the table. “It’s all about… Bring. It. On.”
    He saw something in her eyes—not defeat, not retreat.
    She settled back in her chair. “I have questions about the L.A. show format,” as if the rest of their conversation had not happened.
    Hosea pushed his plate aside. As she talked, inside, he prayed. He really wanted her to stay on the show, but their personal relationship had to end right here.
    He prayed that Natasia could handle that. If not, then Jasmine was right. Natasia would have to go.

NINE
    J ASMINE GLANCED AT HER WATCH ; she had at least an hour before Hosea returned. Stepping from the elevator, she pulled open the glass doors to the Bring It On offices.
    “Hi, Brittney.”
    “Hey, Jasmine.” Hosea’s assistant swiveled in her chair. “Hosea’s out. He had a doctor’s appointment.”
    “Oh, yeah. I forgot,” she lied. “I wanted to surprise him for lunch, but I’ll wait in his office. I have some calls to make.”
    Brittney nodded, turned back to her computer.
    “By the way,” Jasmine paused. “I wanted to say hello to Natasia. Is she in?”
    “Yeah, her office is two down from Hosea’s.”
    “Thanks.” Jasmine kept her smile until she turned around. Two doors down wasn’t far enough. She’d make sure that Natasia was farther away once they got to Los Angeles—preferably in another building altogether.
    She marched into Hosea’s office, adjusted the photos of her and Jacqueline atop his desk, then strolled back into the hall. But when she peeked inside Natasia’s office, it was empty.
    Jasmine was tempted to walk in, sit down, and wait. But then this meeting wouldn’t appear coincidental.
    Moving toward the coffee room, Jasmine heard the voice before she slowly stepped inside.
    Natasia stood across the room, her cell phone gripped between her ear and her shoulder, her back to Jasmine.
    “What do you mean there are no apartments at the Fairmont?”
    Silence as Natasia listened and Jasmine grinned.
    “No,” Natasia continued, her tone heavy with frustration. “I’ll be there too long to have a regular room.” Then, “How far away is this other hotel?”
    The way Natasia sighed, Jasmine wondered if the hotel was in another state.
    “All right, but keep me on the list at the Fairmont.” She clicked the phone off, then whipped around.
    “Hello, Natasia.”
    Natasia twisted her lips into a smile. Folded her arms and leaned against the counter. “Jasmine.”
    “Ah.” Jasmine reached for a coffee cup. “You remember my name today.”
    “Are you here to check on your husband?”
    Jasmine poured her coffee. “Not that it’s any of