I keep my attention fixed on the phone screen, unable to meet Sinclair’s eyes as his voice makes me shiver.
“Sure. We can go over things for Thursday at the same time.”
“Wonderful. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
8
HALLIDAY
My phone ringing wakes me.
I glance at the clock. 5:30. No one calls this early unless something’s wrong. I lurch up into a sitting position, my breath catching as I swipe my phone up and hit answer.
“Hello?”
“Good Morning.”
“Sterling?”
Goosebumps pepper along my arms at his deep voice.
“Can I still have your company this morning?”
I flick the bedside lamp on and run a hand back through my hair. “I, um… I’m still in bed.”
“So am I.”
The rough gravel of his sleepy voice has my stomach dancing as I picture him calling me from his bed. Is he sitting up like me? Or lying, with his head resting on the pillow? Was I his first thought as he woke up? Does he sleep naked?
“I… yes, absolutely,” I croak.
I need to pull myself together. This weird pull toward him has to stop. I’m getting everything mixed up. I’m here to find him a match. So why do the flutters in my stomach feel more like they’re trying to tell me something, and less like the usual buzz of energy I get while working with clients?
“Great. I’ll be with you within thirty minutes.”
“Okay. See you then.”
I toss my phone down and launch the covers back from the bed, my heart racing. Thirty minutes to calm the hell down and get some sense into myself.
I spend the first ten minutes trying, and failing, to meditate, the way I usually start each day. But my mind keeps wandering, hearing his voice over and over as he called me from his bed.
The buzzer for the door goes moments after I step out of the shower. I walk to the security panel and peer at Sterling’s suited form waiting outside on the street.
“You’re early,” I say, clutching my towel around my chest after I press the speaker button.
He looks up, straight into the camera, a warm smile on his face. “There’s no rush. I’ll wait down here.”
“No, come on up.” I press the button to unlock the main door. Maybe he brought a car he can wait in. But it’s still dark outside. I can’t leave him waiting there if he hasn’t.
I don’t even have time to get my underwear on before there’s a soft knock at the door. I go to open it, holding my towel around myself.
“Hi.”
“Good morning,” he rasps. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, we just stand and stare at each other.
“Um, come in.” I stand back and am greeted by the aroma of his aftershave as he walks past me into the apartment.
“I’ll just get dressed. I won’t be a minute,” I say, closing the door behind him.
