Duality by Heather Atkinson Page A

enough.”
    Ryan sighed. “So? Just ring them up and tell them.”
    “I tried but they said they wouldn’t because an account is outstanding and until it’s paid up we’re only on the bare necessities.” Their supplier didn’t dare cut them off completely, not when the Laws were their best customers.
    “How did that happen?” demanded Ryan. “We have never missed paying an account.”
    “To be honest, Jason has been letting things slide around here,” she said, deciding to use this opportunity to badmouth the manager. “He’s not been well and he’s all over the place. I hate to say it but I don’t think he can cope anymore.” It wasn’t true, Emily herself had sabotaged payment to the supplier and not just that one but their wine and meat suppliers too. Jason didn’t really understand the online payment system so he left it to her, which he wouldn’t ever dare tell the Laws because it was supposed to be his job, so she was confident she wouldn’t be found out.
    Ryan sighed in annoyance. “I’ll call the supplier and get them paid up. Where’s the number?”
    “This way,” she said, leading the way to the office, swaying her backside for all she was worth. She was a very attractive woman and she knew it. At twenty three she was thirteen years younger than Rachel and she thought Ryan was probably getting bored, longing for a younger model but when she glanced back over her shoulder he just seemed distracted instead of being mesmerised by her behind.
    When they walked into the office she bent right over the desk to reach the little black book Jason kept that listed the contact details of all their suppliers, aching to feel the press of Ryan’s red hot body against her own but there was nothing. Annoyed, she snatched up the book and flicked through it to the veg supplier. “There,” she said, holding it out to him, sticking her chest out for all she was worth.
    “Thanks,” he said, taking it from her with barely a glance in her direction. He sat at the desk to make the call.
    Emily stood watching him, mesmerised. Yes, he was in his forties and almost twice her age but he was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. Plus he was dangerous, she knew all about his history in Manchester. He’d even served time in prison, which excited her unbearably. His criminal background had convinced her he’d be more than willing to cheat on his wife, despite how it was rumoured he only had eyes for Rachel. And it was looking like the rumours were true, for once. He hardly seemed to notice she was alive.
    Ryan paid the account over the phone then hung up. “Is that it?”
    Emily felt a bit nervous, he didn’t seem to appreciate being dragged down here. “Yes, thanks for sorting that out. If my duties extended to payments I could have sorted it out for you so you wouldn’t have had to leave Rachel today. How is she by the way?”
    He sighed. “You know what happened last night?”
    “Yeah, everyone does. It’s impossible to keep a secret around here.”
    “Wonderful,” he said sarcastically, getting to his feet. “I’ve got to get back to her, I shouldn’t have left her in the first place.”
    “Sorry but I didn’t know what else to do,” she said.
    He hesitated on his way out the door. “It’s not your fault, Jason left you no choice.”
    Then he was gone.
    Emily was disappointed she hadn’t got the hot and heavy session on the desk that she’d envisaged but it was still a step forward. Jason was on his way out and then she would be in charge here, allowing her to get even closer to Ryan Law.
    She returned to the restaurant floor, watching as Ryan got back in his car and drove off.
    “One day,” she told herself.
    She frowned when a middle-aged, overweight man in an expensive suit pushed the door open.
    “I’m sorry, we’re closed,” she told him.
    “I’m not here for food,” he said, closing the door behind him.
    Something about the man made her nervous and she wished Ryan hadn’t