Free Conflicts of the Heart by Julie Michele Gettys Page A

ancient Aztec pottery sat in window ledges, and waiters wore native garb. The smell of hot lard and Mexican spices wafted throughout the cozy room.
    Joel sat quietly as he gazed around. He probably expected her to pick up the conversation. She knew he enjoyed talking about his work, so she didn’t waste any time. “How's biz?”
    “I'm still struggling. Things don't look hot right now. I'll hit it big one of these days.” He licked the salt from his margarita glass and sipped more of the icy liquid.
    “Dana's lucky she got out of all this. At least she's making a steady income. I'm on the brink of losing everything. Business has been bad. That damn Steve Jobs beat me by a month with a tablet I sunk every cent I owned into.” He slurred his words.
    Poor Joel. While he struggled, Dana traipsed around Ashton, a little broke, but in a big job with lots of money looming on the horizon.
    “Dana's been promised the administrator's job at Templeton in a couple of years, when old Hargrove retires.” There she said it. Now she couldn’t turn back. Her new journey as a traitor to her friend began. She’d picked a side and there she’d stay until the entire mess was resolved. Hopefully, in her favor.
    “Good for her. She always wanted to be in charge.” He hiccupped. “Guess I won't have to worry about her.” He leaned back in his chair, downing the rest of his drink. He flagged the waiter for two more.
    Halfway through her second drink, Teal swayed a little from the booze. “Dana found a whole box of receipts that could hang you out to dry with the IRS.” Her words just slid right out.
    Joel shot up from his seat. “What the hell are you talking about?”
    Her eyes welled with tears as every head in the room turned in their direction. Now, without a why, how or what, she truly betrayed Dana, for real. Every emotion from guilt, sadness, elation, fear all crept over her. She paused, waiting for a calm contentment to help her finish what she came for. After all, she wasn’t doing anything wrong. Why had she come over here if it weren’t to inform Joel of the trap waiting to snap shut at any moment?
    “Come on.” Joel grabbed her thin wrist, pulled her up, and dropped a twenty on the ta ble. “We're outta here.”
    “I'm starving. We haven't had dinner.”
    “You can eat something at my house.”
    At Joel's, sitting at the kitchen table, he poured them each a tall scotch and water. “Dinner. Now, wipe those tears. They're phony. At first, I thought Dana sent you, but I was wrong. I know how you think and why you're here. So get off it.” He leaned in, his nose an inch from hers. “You've always been so jealous of Dana you couldn't see straight. She was too dumb to see through you, but I did.”
    Teal trembled, unsure of what he’d do. “You're sick. I felt sorry for you.”
    “Bullshit. You watch out for number one.” He drew back and folded his arms across his wide chest. “So what do you want out of all this?”
    Rising from her chair, she walked to the sink. With her back to him, she poured her scotch down the drain and filled her glass with tap water. “You won't believe this, but I was interested in you before Dana.” She faced him. “You couldn't see me for her.” She sipped some water, watching Joel over the rim of the glass. She liked the devil streak in him. He made her weak in the knees. “Of course, I was no prize back then. When Dana told me that you were divorced, I thought maybe I had a chance. I’ve changed a lot.” She walked to him, laid a hand on his shoulder. “I have changed, haven't I?” She ran her fingers through his hair.
    “That you have, honey.” He took her hand from his hair, pulled her down on his lap, and kissed her, hard.
    She pulled away. “Stop. You're biting my lip.”
    Lowering his head, he nuzzled his nose in her cleavage. “Hmmm, nice and soft. Bigger than I remember.” He ran his tongue against her skin. “Let's go to bed and have dessert.”
    “You better