Taking another gulp of her smoothie, Freya pulled up her text messages.
Hazel
OMG, I have some exciting news to share! Do you have time to meet for coffee tomorrow morning?
Freya checked her schedule and frowned.
I can’t tomorrow. Staff meeting. But how does Wednesday at 8AM work? Want to meet at Comfort Food?
Three dots immediately appeared at the bottom of her screen.
Yes! I have so much to tell you! I can’t believe how amazing the shooting turned out to be! See ya!
Freya cringed but gave her friend the benefit of the doubt. There was no way Hazel had meant it that way, there was no way she was that tone-deaf. Right?
Her phone buzzed again, and she glanced down. This time, a smile lifted her lips as she pulled up the new text.
Xander
Still up for dinner? I can meet you at your place at 5. Or I can pick you up if you don’t have a rental yet.
The rental’s here! And yes, dinner sounds great. But I picked up another guest, so I won’t be out of here until about 5:30. Want to meet at my place at 6?
Sounds good. Can I stay the night? Or is that too forward?
A blush stole across her cheeks, and she chuckled.
After yesterday, I’m pretty sure “forward” has gone out the window.
I’d love for you to spend the night.
Excellent. There’s a whole slew of things I want to do to you tonight. See you at 6.
She hearted his last text and then fanned herself. Yowza. Six o’clock couldn’t come fast enough. A smirk kicked at her lips. Well, at leastshe’dbe coming plenty tonight.
As it turned out, she had to wait an hour longer before she could see her handsome man. Yeah, that’s right.Herhandsome man. While she was waiting for the valet to pull around with her rental, she got another text from Xander letting her know the meeting he was in was running long. He’d meet up with her at seven.
Though a little disappointed at first, after parking around the corner from her apartment and trekking down the sidewalk, she was grateful for the delay. Her left knee was beginning to throb, no doubt a combination of being on her feet all day and yesterday’s fall. She planned on using the extra time to take a piping hot shower and shave everything that needed shaving. Though she was pretty sure Xander wouldn’t care one way or another.
Smiling at the thought, she walked by various shops that had just closed for the evening and unlocked the door to her building. Clutching on to the handrail, she winced as her knee protested each and every step. Maybe she’d forgo the shaving and just soak in the tub for the next hour. She let out a sigh when she reached the landing. Another two steps toward her apartment door and?—
She froze.
A large white envelope was leaning against her front door.
Her eyes darted around the empty hallway and came to rest on the closed door across the hall—the storage room for Knit Wits. She glanced back at the envelope, and the feeling of spiders crawling over her skin had her shivering. Spinning on her heel, she hustled back down the stairs.
She spilled out onto the sidewalk, her heart hammering in her chest. There were a handful of people milling about down the street, but nothing out of the ordinary. Just people going about their evening.
Standing in the alcove of Knit Wits’ entrance with her back to the door, she pulled out her phone. Her fingers trembled as she called Xander.
It immediately went to voicemail.
She frowned, disconnected, and redialed. This time it rang.
It’s just an envelope. You’re overreacting!
Was she though?
