Sorry, Harp. You’ll get the chance to meet her tomorrow.
I have to go now. My battery’s low.
It sucks to turn off the phone, but I do it to preserve the battery.
I wonder if the guard would take my phone to a charger …
As I turn around, ready to go ask, I see the glass door opening straight ahead.
I can’t help the smile that curls the corners of my lips as Robin steps out onto the path.
Chapter Seventy-Four
Robin
Leaving Katie fawning over Pierre’s flatbreads, I feign a sensitive stomach so I can grab the chance to walk in the gardens on our lunchbreak. Katie seems happy enough to be left alone with her crush, so I exit the kitchen and go straight across the hall to the glass door.
It’s been a good day so far, but I could really use a few minutes out in the fresh air. The kitchen can be a little stuffy, especially when the people I’m working with are sweet on each other and not afraid to flirt openly.
I take in a breath as I push open the glass door to the garden path.
The fresh air that I take in is quickly pushed back out as I gasp at the sight of Falcon, standing close to the side of the cafeteria, one hand leaning on a spade.
I blink as I step outside, a smile spreading across my lips as I realize I’m not imagining this.
It’s really him. He’s reallyhere.
I couldn’t have asked for a nicer surprise.
My feet move quickly over the paving stones toward him, my hungry gaze taking in more details as I get closer.
His shirt and jeans are wrinkled and stained with dirt and sweat.
He’s straightening as I approach, but he was slightly slouched when I first saw him.
I’m starting to guess why when I get to his side.
The final detail is what seals it.
I look up at his face, and his eyes are red.
He hasn’t slept.
Not one wink.
His smile comes out slowly. “Hey, Robin.”
“That’s all you’ve got to say?” I ask, making him laugh.
“I’m too busy admiring to talk,” he murmurs, making me blush.
Regardless of how he makes me feel with his words, and his lingering looks, I’m not letting him get away with ignoring the impossible feat he somehow managed to pull off.
“How did you do it? How did you get Lana to let you stick around?”
“Long story,” he says. “And I could use a break, so how ‘bout I tell you over lunch?”
“Sure,” I agree, not caring that I’m probably going to miss out on time in the gardens.
