“That’s part of it.”
“What’s the other part?” She paused. “Man trouble?”
I didn’t want to get into it with her, but I still felt like talking. “You could say that.”
Her voice got too excited. Too inquisitive. “Are you seeing someone?”
I cursed myself. I couldn’t say anything to her. She’d ask a million questions. Call my sister, who would call back to pump me. Heather would tell my mom, who would say something to my dad…and that was a phone call I had no desire to receive.
“No, some jerk in the office. You know the ego of lawyers. Sometimes the god complex is strong in them.”
Disappointment saturated her tone. “Oh. Is he hassling you?”
I looked down, brushing off my skirt. “No, being an asshole.”
Pant legs and shiny shoes appeared in my line of vision. I looked up to see Jaxson in front of me, his mouth set in a scowl of displeasure.
“Upstairs,” he snapped. “Now.”
I frowned. “Listen, Addi, can I call you back? My friend is walking in.”
“Sure. I wanted to remind you that Cami says the final fitting is Monday.”
“Yes, Heather is picking me up. I’ll be there.” I hung up and picked up my martini. “Your friends gone?”
“I said upstairs.”
“I’m not finished my drink.”
He took the glass from my hand, draining it in one long swallow. “Now, you are.”
I glared at him. “I was enjoying that.”
He leaned down, his eyes like ice. “I said now.”
I stood and petulantly plucked the skewer of olives from the glass, popping them in my mouth. They were the best damn part, and I wasn’t leaving them. I followed Jaxson, chewing the salty vodka-soaked bits of heaven and swallowing them. The area by the elevator was busy, and we stood back, waiting for it to thin out.
“God complex?” he hissed at me, staring straight ahead. “Asshole? That’s what you think of me?”
“I was just venting to a friend.” I couldn’t explain to him why I had used those terms. I should never have mentioned anything to Addi at all.
“I didn’t expect to see anyone, for fuck’s sake,” he snarled.
“And I didn’t expect to have to sit in a lobby waiting like a hooker for her next job,” I snapped back.
He gripped my elbow. “Stop it.”
I shook off his grip. “You stop it.”
He glowered at me. “You knew going in this was going to be difficult, Grace. We talked about it. You said you understood. Then the first time we’re tested, you resort to calling me names?” He shook his head. “I didn’t want to go have a drink with them. I wanted to be with you. I didn’t have much of a fucking choice.”
His words struck me, and I heard the underlying hurt in his voice. He was right—on all counts. Shame filled me, but before I could speak, a man pushed past us, hurrying to join the lineup waiting for the elevator.
The last group entered the elevator, and the lobby was clear enough that I could see inside. It was well lit, the walls white marble. As elevators went, it was fairly large, and now that the lobby wasn’t so busy, it shouldn’t be overly full. Jaxson stood next to me, his anger simmering but still patient. He didn’t rush me, instead letting me make the decision. I inhaled deeply, centering my breathing, concentrating on the air moving in and out of my lungs. Our unexpectedly sharp words had thrown me, my reaction had been unusual, and I felt off-kilter. I needed to focus to get on the elevator and get out of the public eye so Jaxson and I could clear the air.
“Ready?” Jaxson’s voice was strained and low. Although he was angry, he was being tolerant.
“Yes.”
He pushed the button, and a moment later, the doors opened, another large group stepping out. I moved to the side to let them pass, the action separating us farther. I curled my hands into fists as I stepped inside, heading directly to the back corner. Another couple entered, followed by a family. A man in a heavy overcoat brushed past Jaxson, pushing his floor with an impatient jab of his finger. I began to panic until I saw Jaxson beginning to cross the threshold. Then I heard it. A voice calling loudly. “Sir! Mr. Richards! You left your phone!”
Looking startled, Jaxson turned. He held up his hand to the man at the front of the elevator. “Hold the door, please.” Then he stepped away to accept the cell phone being handed to him.
The man in the elevator snorted, jabbing at the control panel. “Catch the next one. I don’t have all day.”
And to my abject horror, the doors slid shut.
Chapter 13
Grace
I looked down, the pattern in the carpet spinning before my eyes. I hadn’t prepared properly. I thought Jaxson would be with me. I was already upset over our fight, and the usual panic set in fast. I began to chant in my head, the calming words barely keeping me under control. The walls seemed to close in around me, the air becoming thicker. The sound of Jaxson’s shouted curse as the doors had shut echoed in my head. I concentrated on the timbre of his voice bouncing around in my mind. I kept my breathing slow, focusing on one leaf in the carpet. The green was heavily embossed, the detail rich and vivid on the ivory background. I concentrated on that leaf as the doors slid open and people got off, until I realized I was alone in the elevator, and I had no idea what floor it was on. I dared to lift my eyes, horrified to see it had gone past the thirtieth floor and I was headed up to the top floor alone. I managed to peel my hand off the railing and press my floor, then crushed myself back against the wall. I felt the beads of sweat soak the back of my neck as I struggled to remain calm. One couple got on to head back down, and I prayed no one else would call the elevator. After what felt like an eternity, the doors opened, and I found the strength to push myself off the railing and stumble into the hall. I caught sight of myself in the mirror hanging across from the elevator. I was pale and I looked frantic. My legs were shaking, and I grabbed at the table in front of the mirror, sucking in much-needed oxygen. Rushed, heavy footsteps headed my way, and suddenly, Jaxson was there.