She shoots me a sad smile. “I promise.” She sniffles. “Thank you for listening.”
“Always.” I wink. “That’s what big brothers are for.”
“Can we talk about something else?” she asks. “I just… I need a break from thinking about it.”
“Of course. Whatever you want.” I nod.
Anna’s holding my phone for me when it starts vibrating in her hand.
“Who is it?” I ask, narrowing my eyes to read the screen.
Her gaze darts to mine. “Unknown number.”
I grit my teeth hard. I’ve been receiving these calls more frequently, always from an unlisted number. I think I know who it is, and it’s beginning to unsettle me.
“Just ignore it,” I instruct, slipping inside the dressing room to change.
When I emerge, Anna’s complexion has paled.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, though I already know.
She holds my phone out to me. “It’s Casey.”
I take the phone. The message glows on the screen.
My stomach drops as soon as I read the message.
I know you’re back in London.
“How the hell did she find out?” I growl.
Anna shakes her head, her expression troubled. “I’m not sure. I haven’t posted anything on social media.” Her mouth twists as she thinks. “Could she have read something about the Gray Hotel opening?”
I lift my brows, considering. “I doubt it. Grayson is the face of the hotel—my involvement wouldn’t have been mentioned. I’m nobody to the public. Any press coverage would feature his name, not mine.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I don’t have the energy for this.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “How about we get a drink from the champagne bar downstairs?”
She stares at me, her face unreadable.
“My treat,” I add.
Her eyes light up instantly. “Deal.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Gemma
Since arriving home after catching up with Henry back at the office, I’ve been counting down the hours until I get to see Max.
My phone beeps from the living room as I swap my glasses out for contacts. I’m determined to actually stick to my rule tonight—I’m coming home to my own flat afterward. As amazing as this afternoon was, it was also extremely confronting. Emotionally, I’m drained.
I couldn’t push him away. Not when he was staring into my soul with those baby blues, like he saw every broken, jagged piece of me and wanted to help glue me back together.
The honesty in his eyes and the tone of his voice made me feelsafe, a nervous response so foreign I almost forgot it existed. I think that’s the most dangerous part about all this—not the sex, not that we work together, not even Anna.
I’m beginning totrustMax to hold my heart.
I’ve built my entire life around being the one who needs nothing and no one. Yet, in the space of just over a week, I told Max I was his. And the terrifying part? I meant it.
