Darkly (Follow Me 4)

“Not tonight. I may tomorrow, but I’ll pay double time, since I’m reneging on your week off.”

“Not a problem,” Christopher says, “though I should tell you…”

“Tell me what?” I walk out of the kitchen, looking at my phone.

Christopher follows me into the living area. “Ms. Manning was here a little while ago.”

That gets my attention. “Skye? Here? Why? She knows I’m supposed to be in New York.”

“Yeah, she does,” Christopher says. “She brought over a basket of goodies for Sasha. It’s on the island in the kitchen.”

“It is?” I stride back into the kitchen.

Sure enough, a gift basket from Betsy’s Bark Boutique sits on the marble counter. Not sure how I missed it.

Betsy’s Bark Boutique. I know that name. Betsy…I can’t recall her last name. She’s a friend of Addison’s. They go way back, even further than Addie and I go.

“I took Sasha on a walk earlier,” Christopher says from behind me.

“Great. Thanks.”

“I dropped her off for an hour of play time at the doggie daycare. In fact, I should go pick her up.”

“Thanks,” I say again. “You don’t have to hang around here on your day off. Annika can take care of Sasha.”

“I don’t mind. I love that little pup. If you don’t need me, I’ll go get her.”

“Fine. See you in a bit.”

Christopher leaves the kitchen, and a few minutes later, I hear the sound of the elevator door sliding open.

Now, to deal with why I came home.

Skye.

Who has apparently already been here once today. The gift basket from Betsy is filled with homemade treats and a lot of toys. Not an inexpensive gift. Why would Skye buy such a thing for Sasha? Was it an excuse to come here? If so, why? She knows I’m gone.

Marilyn finishes cleaning the oven. “I’m done here, Mr. B. But now that you’re home, do you want me to make you something?”

“No. You’re off this week, too, Marilyn. I don’t want my sudden appearance to upset your plans.”

“Perfect.” She smiles. “Thank you. See you in a few days.”

Again, the elevator doors slide open, the bell dings, and with Marilyn gone and Annika upstairs, I’m alone.

Back to Skye Manning.

She’s the reason I cut my trip short. The reason I gave Dimitri Stamos the extra responsibility he’s been asking for.

The reason I’m standing here in my penthouse, wondering how I’m going to see her tonight.

I could show up unannounced at her place again, like I did last night.

But God, that makes me look a little needy.

I’m not needy. Not at all. I just know what I want. No shame in that.

If Skye and I are going to continue down this path, she needs to know what I want as well.