I like the guy, there’s no denying that, but Lou and Sasha are right. He’s Brix Wilson, a guy who plays up his reputation of sleeping with a different woman every day of the week. He’s probably never had a relationship last beyond a week. How can I even think about risking everything I’ve worked for?
I glance at my phone as it rings on the seat next to me, secretly thankful for the distraction from my thoughts. I scoop it up, debating whether or not to answer, when I see Luke’s name.
He’ll be worse to deal with later, if I ignore this.
“Hello?”
“Is Brix there?” he asks, not bothering to return my greeting.
“No. He’s in with his manager,” I remind him.
The one that you set up.
“Oh, okay.” Luke speaks in an overly dramatic tone, which immediately makes me dread what’s coming. “Then do you want to explain to me why his manager is here, looking for him?”
Shit.
“There must be some kind of mix up,” I laugh nervously.
“I’ll say. What do you do, Hannah? Sit in the car and wait for him? Do you understand the concept of keeping a close eye on someone?” he rants. “It usually involves not letting them out of your sight.”
“I’ll sort it out,” I say, my voice barely audible.
“Please. And do it fast.”
I press end, my hands shaking. I’m so angry with myself. I should have clarified things with Luke and asked him exactly what I was expected to do before I agreed to this. Instead, I stupidly listened to Brix when he told me to wait in the car.
Getting out, I walk over to the building and go inside. I smile at the security guard sitting at the desk, trying to look like I belong here. My mind is ticking over with possible scenarios, but to be honest, I have no idea what I’m about to walk in on. Why lie to me over a meeting? That’s the part that scares the fuck out of me. I reach the elevator and then realize I have a problem. How do I figure out which apartment he’s in? I don’t want to risk asking the guard, because I don’t want to arouse suspicion. If he calls up to okay me coming up, then Brix will have enough time to cover up whatever it is he’s doing.
But none of it matters if I don’t ask, because I have no idea where to find him.
I’m about to give up when I hear his name. My ears pricking up, I turn around to peer back at the desk. A delivery guy holding a large box is chatting with the guard. They laugh, then the delivery guy waves at the guard and starts walking toward the elevator. I busy myself on my phone, and then follow him onto the elevator when the doors open.
“What floor?” he asks.
“Fourteen,” I say, figuring if he doesn’t get out then too, the Brix is on top.
I stare at my phone, cursing at my choice of phrasing. Brix on top is not what I need in my head right now. Or ever again. We ride up in silence, both of us glued to our phones. When the doors open on level fourteen, I get off and wait to see if he does too. He doesn’t, so I wait for the doors to close, and then sprint up the single flight of stairs. Out of breath, I crack open the door and peer out, sighing with relief when I spot the delivery guy standing outside a door. From the angle I’m at, I can’t make out whether anyone has answered or not.
He finally leaves, still holding the box. I wait until the elevator doors close with him inside, and then I step out into the hallway. My heart races as I edge closer to the door, because all the possible scenarios keep flying through my mind, from overdosing, to walking in on him with someone else. This is obviously his place, so why wouldn’t he answer?
I shake my head, because it just doesn’t make any sense.
“Just relax. Give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he has a good explanation,” I murmur to myself. But even as I say it, I know it’s unlikely.
Taking a deep breath, I knock on the door and wait. Nothing. I knock a little harder but there’s still nothing. My heart thumping, I reach for the door handle and twist.
It’s unlocked.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I go inside, listening hard for any indication that someone is here, but all I hear is silence. I walk through to the living room, my eyes darting everywhere, momentarily distracted by how stunning the apartment is. It has the kind of views you’d expect from a luxury penthouse. We all know what a sucker I am for a nice view. I snap myself out of it, because after last time, I need to focus.