“I don’t know. Maybe eight inches by eight inches? It’s wrapped in plain brown paper. Probably the same kind they used to send Wally Wallace his vibrator.”
“I’m switching us to FaceTime so I can see it.” A few seconds later, my phone rang to make the switch. I answered to find Miles wearing bright red glasses.
“Red, huh? Does that mean you’re feeling sexy?”
“No, it means I sat on the black ones I wore today, and these were the only thing I could find in the car. They look terrible with my orange shirt. Now show me the box.”
I held up the package.
“Interesting. Open it.”
I laughed. “I’m a few buildings down from mine. Let me just get into my apartment.”
“Now I know how you kept your virginity all these years. You love to torture yourself.”
It wasn’t too much longer before I was finally inside my apartment. I tossed my keys and purse on the kitchen counter, walked around the island to grab scissors, and propped up the phone so Miles could watch me open the package.
As I tore into it, I laughed. “It’s going to be hysterical if I was wrong and it’s not Jagger’s handwriting on the top. Maybe we’re both anxiously awaiting office supplies that someone ordered for me.”
Inside the unmarked wrapping was a cardboard box containing two small, navy-velvet boxes. I lifted out the first and opened it. “Oh my God.”
“What is it? What is it? I can’t see.”
I turned the box to show Miles. “It’s my anklet. Jagger told me he found it at his house, but it was broken. He must’ve had it fixed.”
Miles rolled his eyes. “Boring. What’s in theother box?”
I reached in and took the other one out. My eyes widened upon finding another anklet—a diamond one.
“Nice bling,” Miles said. “Bring that closer to the camera so I can see it better.”
I held the anklet up to the phone. “Those are nice-sized stones,” he said. “My guess is five carats. I guess that’s a gift?”
“I don’t know.” I tilted the bigger box and took another look inside. On the bottom was a white piece of paper I’d missed before. “Wait. I think there’s a note.” I unfolded it and read aloud. “Thank you for a great time Saturday night. X Jagger Langston.”
I frowned. “Seriously? A fucking kiss-off gift delivered by messenger?”
“I’m sure he didn’t mean it that way. He’s probably just sending you a gift because he likes you and wants to see you again.”
I shook my head. “Today was the first time I’d spoken to him in three days, and he pretty much told me we weren’t right for each other and hung up on me without saying goodbye. This is absolutely a parting gift—no different than the cash a businessman in a motel room leaves by the door for the sex worker. He’s just got more money.”
Miles shrugged. “If he wants to use me and send me diamonds, I’m available.”
“Oh good. I’ll let him know that—when I toss his stupid gift back at his face tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 23
Sutton
The anger didn’t dissipate overnight. Just the opposite, it built and built, and now I felt ready to explode. Perfect timing, since I’d gotten to the office at six fifteen—knowing Jagger liked to start his day right after the gym—before anyone else got in.
I rode the elevator directly up to the executive floor and swiped inside. The receptionist wasn’t in yet, so I walked around the desk and kept on going. The blood in my veins pumped faster with every step. I had no idea if other people who worked up here got in this early, though I definitely didn’t want to make a scene and have my stepfather walk in. So I turned right to pass Edmund’s office so I could double-check that he wasn’t here yet. I’d already planned what I was going to say if he was, but thankfully his office was dark—as all of them seemed to be, except for the lone one shining a streak of light across the hallway floor.He’s here.
My swift strides suddenly slowed. Part of me considered chickening out—stopping and turning around,hauling my butt back out the door, and taking the stairs so no one would even know I’d been on the executive floor. And I might’ve done just that if Jagger hadn’t walked into the hall. He looked up, and his lips curved to a smile. Though it wilted when I brushed past him and walked into his office.
“Sutton, what’s the matter?”
He followed me back inside, and I motioned to the entrance. “Shut the door.”
