With my sunglasses in place, I set off for the center of town after shooting Louisa a hasty email to tell her that I might be a little late.
Car problems is what I title the correspondence. Ha!
Rationally speaking, I know that I could easily call Charli and request a ride. But I haven’t picked up her calls in the last few days and I’m not in the right frame of mind to deal with the mouthful she no doubt wants to unload on me.
A few minutes into my walk, I’m realizing that I probably should have gone back upstairs to grab a more comfortable pair of walking shoes to get me to the office. These heels are pinching the hell out of my toes.
Rounding the corner, a shiny gray Audi catches my eye as it makes a sharp and noisy U-turn and heads back in my direction. I don’t think anything of it, just assuming the driver forgot something back home.
Until it slows to a crawl beside me and the passenger window is rolled down.
“Morning, Lily Cat!” Mason’s cheerful voice glides over to me on the sidewalk.
A brand new wave of embarrassment assaults me as I stop walking and peer at him through the tinted open window.
What are the odds of me running into him twice in such a short period of time after not seeing him for years?
“Hi Mason,” I try to infuse my voice with extra pep to disguise my humiliation. “How’s it going?”
By now he’s pulled over into the bike lane and turned on his hazards, drawing even more attention to us.
Jesus.
“Get in, Lily Cat.”
I don’t know why his command catches me off guard. Mason’s always been the perfect gentleman.
I think about turning him down but then my feet cry out in protest making the decision an easy one. When I open the door and drop down onto the leather of his passenger seat, my feet sing in relief.
Mason shifts the sleek car back into drive as I buckle my seatbelt, pulling away from the side of the road.
“Where to?” he asks jovially.
Once I give him the address, Mason nods while tapping his fingers against the steering wheel in time with the music playing.
“Why were you walking, Lily Cat?”
I want to cringe at the nickname. He always claimed the nickname stemmed from the name of some futuristic sci-fi movie he saw as a child.
It was cute in college, but now I want to gag. I’ve just about had it with men and their stupid nicknames for me…
Looking over at Mason’s friendly face, I suddenly feel guilty. He didn’t have to offer me a ride and I should be expressing gratitude, not dredging up all the ways a nickname from ten years ago annoys me.
Maybe I’m just grumpy.
“Car trouble,” I speak, finally answering his question.
“Sorry to hear that,” he states as he begins driving again. “Do you know a good mechanic around here? If not, you know my dad still has a shop up in Stamford. I could probably get him to tow it for free if you want,” he proposes generously.
I feel the size of an ant right now. Here he is genuinely concerned and I don’t have the heart to tell him that my car trouble is really code for repossession.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ve got it under control.” I muster up my best smile and relax a little when he doesn’t linger on the subject.
“Why didn’t you call your boyfriend for a ride?”
In the back of my mind, I knew this question was coming. I’d just hope we’d be closer to the office when that time came so I could flee.
Mason shoots me an expectant look from the corner of his eye.
“He’s out of town on business,” I lie smoothly, biting the inside of my cheek.
Watching the passing landmarks, I grow antsy in my seat. I swear we’re catching every traffic light in sight, tacking excruciating extra minutes onto this already uncomfortable ride.
“Too bad,” Mason murmurs thoughtfully. “How serious are you two, anyway?”
I should really be rewarded for resisting the urge to roll my eyes on that one.
There is no such thing as serious when it comes to Andrew Knight. He’s a rich playboy with the attention span of a squirrel. And I ignored all the warning signs thinking our relationship was different.
Brushing off Mason’s question with a vague answer, I steer the conversation to him. For the remainder of the ride he tells me all about his girlfriend.
I enjoy watching the way his face lights up at the mere mention of her. He’s smitten and it’s absolutely adorable.
By the time we reach the office, I’ve relaxed considerably and am ready to face the day.
After thanking him for the ride, I dash into the lobby of the building and shoot Louisa a warm smile.
Reaching my office, I stop in my tracks when I see the door is wide open and there’s someone standing inside.
It’s Andrew.
And he’s pissed.
Twenty-three
LILAH
“Andrew, what are you doing here?” I sputter only after making sure my door is closed behind me.
The foreboding look on his face tells me that he isn’t here for friendly banter and I don’t want the conversation to leak out into the halls. No one around here needs to know my business.
On quivering legs, I make my way over to my desk. When it’s time for me to pass his station in the center of the office, I skirt the edges of the room to avoid him.
Andrew’s mouth lifts to give way to a dangerous smirk as he watches me with dark eyes. His face tells me that he’s on to my antics but is choosing to be merciful instead of pouncing on me right away.
Behind my desk, I feel a little bolder and cross my arms over my chest.
“You haven’t answered my question,” I attempt at being bold. Luckily he can’t see my knees knocking furiously under the desk.
It makes me absolutely livid that my traitorous body is responding to him like
