“Markus?TheMarkus” I asked worriedly, looking at Jeremiah. I knew that name. Knew how dangerous he was. I couldn’t believe he was still causing problems after all this time.
“It’s okay,” Jeremiah nodded, running his hand down my arm until his fingers interlaced with mine. He squeezed my hand gently.
“I’ll get to the bottom of it,” said Ted with a confident nod. “I’ll call you soon.”
Jeremiah shook his hand firmly before watching him stride out the door with the same confidence he had when he arrived. I watched him go as Gabriella and Erica walked up behind me.
“You must be Sadie’s best friends,” said Jeremiah with an easy smile, like he hadn’t just had the morning from hell.
They both introduced themselves, and my heart swelled slightly. I had been waiting for this moment. The location wasn’t ideal, but at least the people who meant the most to me were finally meeting.
“Why don’t we get the hell out of here and get some breakfast? My treat.” He grinned.
They smiled up at him before he turned to open the door for us. They both gave me swooning looks when he wasn’t looking, to which I laughed and rolled my eyes. The four of us walked out of the station and into the sunshine and crisp, fall air.
We walked down the block to a nearby breakfast spot where we all ordered pancakes and a huge plate of bacon. Erica and Gabriella talked animatedly, eager to spill embarrassing stories about me that had Jeremiah in deep belly laughs. I didn’t even care. Seeing us all together made me too happy to care that my friends were harmlessly poking fun at me.
I leaned my head against Jeremiah’s shoulder and looked up at him as he listened with an amused smile across his perfect lips. He looked down at me and his eyes had that familiar twinkle in them. He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on the lips before turning back to Gabriella who was telling us all about her new apartment.
After breakfast, we said our goodbyes, promising to all get together again soon. Jeremiah hailed them each a cab, paying the drivers generously before sending them on their way with a wave. As they disappeared from view, he grabbed my hand and we began strolling down the sidewalk.
“Everything is going to be okay, Sadie,” he said softly.
I looked up at him hopefully. “Promise?” I asked.
“Promise.” He stopped and looked at me intently. “I’m going to put this thing with Anderson to bed before the baby comes.”
I didn’t know what that meant, but didn’t ask questions. Instead, I stood on my toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. I believed he would. I knew he was going to be okay. I knewwewere going to be okay. The three of us.
“In the meantime, let’s get you home,” I murmured before raising my hand to hail a cab.
Chapter 56
Jeremiah
The elevator doors opened to a sharp, minimally decorated lobby with black, polished floors and dove gray wallpapered walls. My leather wingtips whispered against the floor as I strode toward the receptionist sitting behind the black marble counter against the back wall. I straightened my suit as I stopped before her, clearing my throat.
She looked up at me, her brown eyes looking me over, from my hair to the fitted black suit I wore. Sadie’s favorite. She insisted I wore it today.
“May I help you?” the receptionist asked, wrapping a piece of her chestnut hair around her finger as she looked up at me through her long lashes.
“Yes, I’m here to see your boss,” I said, leaning against the counter casually as I set my briefcase down on the floor besideme. I knew I would probably have to flirt my way in here because there was no way Anderson would so easily let me in.
She leaned forward in her lowcut blush pink dress. I kept my eyes on hers though, knowing exactly what she was doing. She was falling for what I was putting out. I intended to use it to my advantage.
“And you are?” she asked, the corner of her pink pout lifting slightly.
“Someone your boss will want to talk to.”
“Is that so?” She lifted a curious brow.
“I’m kind of a big deal.” I stretched my neck dramatically.
“I’m sure you are.” She laughed softly. “But I’m sorry, you’ll need to make an appointment.”
I gave her an amused smile. “Trust me. He’ll want to see me.” I leaned forward, pressing my palms against the cool surface of the counter.
She studied me for a moment before reaching for the phone next to her and punched a button. “Mr. Anderson. There’s someone here to see you,” she said, keeping her flirtatious eyes on me.
