I was supposed to pick her up from Zara’s.
I scrub a hand over my face, exhausted. I can’t ask Brooke to pick her up, it’s her first day. And calling Zara or the nanny to ask for a favour? Yeah, no.
Neither woman seems to like me much. Can’t really blame them, I’m guessing Brooke’s told them everything.
With a quiet huff, I grab my keys again and head back out the door.
Great.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Brooke
I head home.
It’s strange to work in an office that’s actually nine-to-five. I’ve never had a job like this before, not one with fixed hours. Everyone warned me to be ready to stay late, to be chained to a desk while the sun disappears outside.
But when the clock struck five, people started packing up like clockwork. No passive-aggressive sighs like at Matthew’s work, no side-eyes at anyone who dared to leave. Just bags zipped, screens shut, and an easy shuffle toward the elevator.
Mr. Kowalski locked up behind us, and we all rode down together in comfortable silence before peeling off in our own directions.
It was… nice.
I’m not bone-tired like I usually am after work. I feel energized, like I’ve still got something left in me at the end of the day. I practically bounce up the steps to our apartment.
I haven’t heard anything from Matthew since the “Picked up Penny” text earlier. The second I open the door, the mouthwatering scent of chili oil hits me. Warm. Spicy. Tasty.
I slip off my shoes and head straight for the fridge, transferring the bottles of milk I pumped at work into the freezer container.
Matthew walks into the kitchen just as I’m closing the door.
“Hi, you’re home,” he says, smiling and reaching for me.
I grin, leaning up on my toes to kiss him.
He pulls back a little, studying my face. “Good day?”
I can’t stop smiling, it stretches across my whole face. “It was a great day.”
He lets out a soft laugh. “Yeah?”
“I soldtwopremium packages,” I say, holding up two fingers dramatically, in case he missed it. “Two. No one’s ever sold more than one on their first day.”
He actually laughs, shoulders shaking. “Wash up and tell me everything over dinner.”
I nod, practically vibrating with excitement. “Okay.”
I head to the bathroom, pee, wash my hands and face, change clothes, and, blessedly, take my bra off. Freedom. I stretch like a cat, grinning at the ceiling. Stupid boob jail.
Before going to the kitchen, I check on Penny. Just because the day was great doesn’t mean I didn’t miss her. Gradually leaving her with Marta was the best decision I could’ve made, the pictures she sent throughout the day definitely made it easier.
I pull myself away, easing the door shut with a soft click so it doesn’t wake her.
In the kitchen, Matthew’s at the counter, plating noodles, the air warm with the smell of peanut chili oil. I can already feel my mouth watering. He glances up at me, a small smile tugging at his mouth, and I can’t help but mirror it.
I grab a glass and fill it with water. Yes, we share water. No, it’s not gross.
“Tell me everything,” he says as he takes a bite.
