“The inner workings of Drake’s brain.”
He chuckles. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“Will do.” I point at the door. “Get Ms. Montgomery in here. I’m about to make her dreams come true.”
***
In California, when I want to clear my mind, I pick up one of my surfboards.
The ocean has felt like home to me for years.
My mind can be thrumming with a dozen different ideas, but once I hit the waves, all I feel is tranquility.
Trying to find that in Manhattan is a fool’s pursuit.
After I met with Blair Montgomery, she invited me to dinner at her apartment tonight. She wanted me to meet her husband and kids so they could thank me for the opportunity I just dropped into her lap.
I passed.
I expect great things from her, but friendship isn’t one of them. She’s a hard-working employee who deserves the chance I’m giving her.
She’ll prove that I made the right choice. I have no doubt about that.
I step out of the building that is home to Cabbott Mobile’s offices, button my suit jacket, and take a deep breath.
It’s mid-afternoon.
The sun is bathing the island in heat today. A day like today brightens the spirit of the people who call this city home.
Summer has settled, bringing with it blue skies and warm breezes.
I’m not a New Yorker anymore.
I don’t give a shit about the weather or what season it is.
I may be standing on a sidewalk outside the office of a multi-million-dollar company that I built from the ground up, but all I feel is regret.
My life was ruined in this city once.
I need to get the hell out of here and back to where I belong.
Chapter 16
Emma
I ready myself for the elevator doors to glide open on the floor that houses Case’s apartment.
I stopped at a market a block over to pick up everything I need to make a salad for dinner. I bought enough for two with the hope that Case will have the time to eat with me.
I have all the essentials for a spinach, strawberry, feta cheese, and pecan salad. It screams California to me, so I’m hoping my temporary roommate will like it.
I take a step forward when the doors start to slide apart.
The sight in front of me stops me.
Case is standing close to a woman with black hair. Her hand is resting on his forearm as they stare into each other’s eyes.
The instant they notice me, her hand falls to her side.
Awkward.
She turns toward me. Her blue eyes hone in on my face.
Tearing my gaze away from her, I look to Case.
He’s wearing the same blue button-down shirt he had on this morning. An extra button is open at the collar. He switched out the gray suit pants he had on for faded jeans.
This casual, untucked look suits him well.
For half of a second, I consider retreating into the elevator and pressing the button to take me back to the lobby.
“Emma.” Case clears his throat. “You’re here.”
“I’m here,” I repeat in a hushed tone.
I might as well own that fact, so I step off the elevator. The doors glide shut behind me.
“I’m Maya Bishop.” The pretty woman in the fitted red dress reaches a hand out to me.
Fumbling with my clutch and the paper grocery bag, I shuffle everything, so that I can shake her hand.
“Emma Owens,” I offer.
Dropping my hand, she looks up at Case. “I’ll be back at seven thirty.”
I guess I’ll be hanging out at Durie’s again tonight.
Wanting an escape, I glance down at the grocery bag I’m holding. “I should put all of this away.”
“It was good to meet you, Emma.” Maya bats her long lashes.
“You too,” I say before stepping around Case to head toward the door of his apartment.
“This afternoon went well.” The gruff tone of Case’s voice sends goose bumps scattering over my arms.
“I agree,” Maya says. “Pam and Rod were the happiest I’ve ever seen them. I can’t say I’m surprised. I knew once we took them into the bedroom that they’d walk out on cloud nine.”
Wait. What?
I stumble forward, almost dropping the bag in my hand.
Timing is everything in life. If I had arrived back here earlier, I might have interrupted that foursome. I’m suddenly extra grateful that I met Bella today. She unwittingly kept me occupied long enough for Case to finish having fun.
Maya continues, “It felt a little rushed, but I know they left satisfied. That’s all that matters. They’ll be back.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I catch Case looking in my direction. He shoots me one of his dimpled smiles.
The man has just as many secrets as Drake does. Maybe even more.
***
I shove everything in the grocery bag into the almost empty fridge. I’ll make the salad at some point, but for now, I’ve completely lost my appetite.
It makes no sense that there’s a sudden pit in my stomach.