Chapter 12 – A Friendly Invitation

Claire had barely settled into her desk Monday morning when an unfamiliar voice chimed at her.

“Claire Anderson?”

She looked up to see a delivery man with a sleek white envelope. “This is for you.”

Claire frowned, signing for it. The envelope bore no name, only a faint perfume expensive, intoxicating, unmistakably feminine.

Inside was a handwritten card:

Lunch? Le Jardin. Noon. My treat. Tatiana Rossi

Claire’s stomach tightened. Tatiana Rossi. The Tatiana?

The Setup

Le Jardin was one of D.C.’s most exclusive restaurants French, opulent, with crystal chandeliers and velvet booths. Claire felt underdressed the moment she walked in, despite her best attempt at a polished outfit.

Then she saw her.

Tatiana sat at the corner table like a queen awaiting an audience. A fitted crimson dress clung to her curves, her jewelry subtle yet impossibly expensive. Every man who passed stole a second glance.

“Claire.” Tatiana’s smile was flawless, her tone warm. “So glad you came.”

Claire forced a polite smile as she sat. “Thank you for inviting me.”

The Subtle Strikes

Menus were placed before them, but Tatiana barely glanced at hers.

“So,” she began, sipping her wine, “Brad seems… very fond of you.”

Claire blinked. “I...uh...he’s my boss. He’s been generous with opportunities.”

“Generous,” Tatiana repeated, as though tasting the word. “Yes, Brad can be that way. With women he finds… interesting.”

Claire’s throat tightened. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Tatiana leaned in slightly, her smile never faltering. “Don’t misunderstand me. Brad and I go back a long way. Men like him they don’t always know what they want until someone reminds them. You understand, don’t you?”

Claire swallowed hard. “I’m not trying to take anyone’s place.”

“Of course you’re not,” Tatiana purred. “But places do get taken… whether or not the one sitting realizes it.”

The Power Play

Food arrived delicate plates of salmon and greens. Tatiana barely touched hers, too busy watching Claire with the precision of a hawk.

“You’re pretty,” Tatiana said suddenly, tilting her head. “Innocent. Brad must like that. It’s refreshing, I suppose. But innocence fades quickly in his world.”

Claire set down her fork. “Are you warning me?”

Tatiana smiled wider. “I’m educating you. See, Brad has layers. Some of us know those layers better than others. You? You’re just beginning. That makes you… fragile.”

Claire’s pulse quickened. “And you think I should back off?”

“I think,” Tatiana said smoothly, “that you should decide how much of yourself you’re willing to lose for a man who may never choose anyone at all.”

The Twist

The waiter brought coffee, and Tatiana leaned back, finally softening her tone.

“But don’t worry. I like you, Claire. You’ve got spirit. Most would’ve walked out by now.” She reached across the table, brushing her fingers lightly against Claire’s hand. “That’s why I wanted to meet you. To see what kind of woman my… competition is.”

The word landed like a dagger, even though Tatiana said it sweetly.

Claire drew a steady breath, meeting her gaze for the first time with steel in her eyes. “Then I guess you know now.”

For the first time all afternoon, Tatiana’s smile faltered just slightly. Then it returned, sharper than ever.

“Indeed I do.”

The Cliffhanger

As Claire left the restaurant, her phone buzzed.

A message from Martin.

Martin → Claire: Lunch with Tatiana? Careful, darling. She plays dirty. But you already knew that, didn’t you?

Claire froze on the sidewalk, staring at the screen.

How the hell did Martin know?