“Cool. You should figure that out,” I look back before returning my attention to the skinny man before me, “And you, umm, what’s your name?” I ask.
“Me? Oh, Carter,” he looks up, mustering all the bravery he can manage,
“Carter? Okay. Carter, you’re fired. Everyone get out. I need to talk to Rodrick.”
The men all seem eager to leave, except for Carter. He looks stuck in space as his eyes redden and glass over. I don’t care. He can play his whole skit out, I know he was working with someone to take advantage of me, like every other slimy leech. I pay an entire security team for what? To get robbed? Hell no.
“Here you are,” Rodrick says when we’re finally alone, extending his hand to give me a manila folder.
Taking a deep breath, I prepare to see the person brave enough to steal from me, but the wind catches in my throat when I see Ava’s beautiful face staring back at me. It’s the file on her I asked Rodrick to retrieve.
“It was… she didn’t…” I find it impossible to even speak the full sentence, but I need to know she had nothing to do with the burglary.
“Oh, no sir. She never even made it to the east wing. She barely saw any parts of the house according to the footage,” he assures me. “She actually spent most of her time here looking at your artwork.”
My hands turn the pages of the report, as my eyes widen in disbelief. She is as innocent as I suspected. She’s apparently a life coach, with her own practice in West Hollywood. I can’t help but shake my head when I see she’s from just outside Bakersfield. It doesn’t get more out of the loop than that.
“What about the theft?” I ask, clapping the folder closed. I can research Ava later, but for now, I need to know what was taken from me.
“Well, we’re trying to make sure we’ve recovered everything now, before reporting prematurely,” Rodrick stalls.
“What’s missing?”
“A brooch, sir,” he answers lowly.
Those were her favorite accessories. My grandmother would wear them every day, and knowing someone had the audacity to steal one from her, regardless if she’s no longer here to protect herself, makes my stomach turn.
“I want to know who did this within forty-eight hours, Rodrick, and I want them prosecuted to the highest degree,” I spit the words out, disgusted the breach in security.
“Yes, sir,” he answers as I walk out of his office.
“And I want the brooch back,” I grunt over my shoulder before slamming his office door closed behind me.
Chapter 4
Ava
“How do you see yourself actualizing that, Amy?” I push my client to dig a bit deeper about her goals to become a published writer.
“I keep getting sidetracked,” she sighs in exasperation, running her fingers through her blonde bangs.
“Well, let’s break it down into small steps,” I motion to the notebook she brings to every session.
Together, over the course of the next forty minutes, we create a plan for Amy to write her first novel in the next six months. The look of accomplishment on her face is all I need to make my day better, and it’s been a rough one.
As she packs her things, I close my notes, tucking them into my desk drawer before walking Amy to the lobby, assuring her we will pick up back right where we’ve left off at her next session.
A deep sigh of relief causes me to lean against my office door once I return. My day has been anything but smooth, and I’m looking forward to a night out with Petra to relax and blow off steam.
I’ve gone over the story a million times in my head, and there’s no way I could have left my purse anywhere at that mansion party, although I’d love a reason to bump into that handsome man again. Our interaction has replayed in my mind more times than I can count, especially as I was laying in bed last night, but I’ve continued to shut it down, hoping not to overcomplicate things.
My phone dings, disturbing my thoughts, and I return to my desk to check the message.
Are you done? We need to be at the party in forty-five minutes.
Shit, I’m already running late and I haven’t even packed up the office. Petra always leaves earlier than me, and tonight is no exception. Now, I’ve got to rush to our place and change clothes to make it to the party with her, and unlike most nights, I’m looking forward to it.
I’m leaving now.
It’s only a small lie, I reason as I lock my desk to secure my files before grabbing my work bag and glancing around my office one last time before leaving. With my hand on the door knob, I exit with my head still facing my desk.
Turning to the lobby, I feel the breath and blood drain from my body as I come face to face with him.
The man from the party is leaning against the wall, his arms hidden behind his back as he squints his beautiful eyes while watching me.
“Ahh!” I shriek, completely taken aback by his presence. Stumbling back, I break into giggles, and he chuckles while making his way to me, helping me regain my balance.
“My clutch!” I exclaim, realizing he is holding the purse I lost the night I met him.
“You left it at my party, and I wanted to return it,” he shrugs.
“I did? I thought for sure I couldn’t have done that…” I trail off, not wanting him to know how much I’d wished there could be a reason for me to see him again.
“Yeah, well, here it is,” he says, handing me the purse.
Taking the clutch, I thank him and he nods as we look into each other’s eyes for a lot longer than necessary. What should be an awkward moment is almost too comfortable. I don’t want it to end, but
