Why is she being difficult?And with that thought, I’m being an asshole.
“What thing?”
“I have to go.I’ll text you if I can make lunch.”
“Paige, you didn’t answer me.We agreed to keep this platonic but no outside interests while we carried out this arrangement.It better not be a date.”
“And if it is?”Not bothering to wait for my response, she continues, “Welcome home, Zach.”
She ends the call and leaves me hanging literally and figuratively.To make matters worse, she doesn’t pick up the several times I call her thereafter.
With Paige not at the penthouse, I head to the office where the morning is busy with meetings.I try not to check my phone more times than is necessary and every time I do, my disappointment grows when there isn’t any word from Paige.
I love talking to her, anywhere and anytime.In person is best, but the phone or video is almost as good.I love her.
Huh, when did that happen?
I love her.Yes, it feels like love.I’m not sure when it happened and funnily enough, the thought doesn’t scare me.Nor do I have a strangling sensation around my neck.I’m breathing easy with the thought of love.
My revelation makes me want to see her even more.I’m not ready to spring the L word on her yet, but I want to be near her.My phone vibrates in my breast pocket and I fumble to get it before it goes to voicemail, hoping it’s Paige.It isn’t.And it isn’t good news.
It’s a notification from the security firm watching Joel Hummel.He may be out of jail and free—for now—but I’ve been keeping tabs on him.I promised to ensure he doesn’t come anywhere near Paige.At all costs.
We even have a peace bond, the equivalent to a restraining order, on him and while useless, in my opinion, I want it on record she has taken every measure to keep him away from her.The text indicates Joel just got off the subway and is walking toward her office building.Fuck.
I get in the elevator, on my way to the car, while trying to reach Paige, but she doesn’t answer my first two calls.I’ve no clue what I did to piss her off and right now, I’m losing patience.
In between trying to get a hold of Paige, I send a terse reply to the security firm indicating Hummel isn’t to get anywhere near her, no matter what.By the time my driver gets us minutes from her office, I’m ready to lose my shit and in what feels like my hundredth attempt, I dial Paige.
“Hello.Zach, my phone is dying.”Her voice is clipped.“I’ve got less than five percent.”
“Where are you?”Concern wraps my clipped words.
“I’m in an Uber on my way back to the office.Why?”
“Don’t go to the office.”My well-intentioned order is a mistake and I should have taken another approach.She doesn’t like someone telling her what to do on a good day but for some reason, today I’m in her bad book.Anything I say will likely cause her to do the opposite.
“I don’t—” Her voice dies and I pull the phone from my ear.
“Paige?Hello?”
We’re no longer connected and when I call again, the phone goes straight to voicemail.Her battery must be dead.
“Dammit.”Jamming the phone into my pocket, I look out the window at the very moment we’re pulling up in front of the building.
One of the men from the security firm working for me stands on the sidewalk, scanning left and right of the building.
When he sees me, he advances with a handshake.“Mr.Rothwell, Mike Piers.Hummel’s in the lobby.Larry’s on him.”He nods to a tall bald man shadowing the landlord, close enough to grab him but far enough for Hummel to take no note of him.
“And Ms.Hayes?”I now survey the front of the building, awaiting her arrival.
“We haven’t got eyes on her and we called the office.She isn’t there.”
Nodding, I glance toward Hummel again when a flash of long brown hair causes me to do a double take.Paige walks into the building through the side entrance.
“Shit.”I stride toward the front doors at the same time Mike lunges from his position.
“Stay here.I’ve got this,” I bark, striding purposefully into the building, holding my hand up in a stop sign to the other guy, Larry, who is also ready to pounce.
