“How about…we talk about anything that doesn’t make you nervous? We can talk about your business, your dream vacation, or you can give me much-needed updates on Fernie. Tell him I miss him.”
I giggled, and just like that, we were back to our pre-sexy talk and everything was normal. It was crazy that I’d known him a week when it seemed like so much longer. “I will not tell him that. He will know it’s a downright lie!”
“Not if you make it sound genuine. It’s all about delivery, Sarah. Duh.” He rolled his eyes and was so playful that I couldn’t help but smile. He was about to say something else when the doorbell rang and I frowned, a little nervous at who’d got up to this level. “You order food?”
“No.” I stood while the dogs went crazy. They sounded as terrifying as a baby goat with their high-pitched yelps, but I was glad they were there. “Hm.”
“Keep me on the line when you answer.”
“So you can fight a burglar through the phone?”
“Yes. I’m really good at it.”
I snorted and made my way to the door, checking the hole to find a very handsome younger version of Mr. Alexandre.
“Who is it?” he asked, his tone a little impatient and I hoped it was worry.
“Some good-looking man.”
“Oh, that’s promising. Do you know him?”
“He looks like Mr. Alexandre.”
“Hi,” a deep voice boomed from the other side of the door. “I can hear you. I’m Peter Alexandre. My brother has some of my stuff.”
“His brother,” I said, smacking my forehead. “Right.” I laughed and opened the door, trying not to stare at his shiny good looks. “I’ll talk to you later, Brigham.”
“I can wait if you want,” he said, just as Peter frowned. I hung up and let him into the condo.
“So what do you need to get?”
“Brigham Monaghan was on the phone? How do you know him?” he asked, moving toward the bookshelves and giving me a great view of his butt. His pants were almost too tight. They showed every curve. Literally.
“He lives across the hall, actually. We’re…friends,” I said, watching him gather a few books and set them in a bag. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry at all. He pursed his lips and sat on the arm of one of the fancy chairs.
His look wasn’t one of joy and it sent a shiver through my body. Something was off about it.
“You’re aware of his reputation, yes?”
I chewed on my lip instead of answering his question and he took that as a sign I did not. His tone softened and he gave me a pitying look. “Brigham is a drug-abusing playboy. Google him, honey. Know what you’re getting into.”
He clapped his hands and got up, leaving the apartment and downright taking the wind out of my sails. His words were worse than a slap to the face. That would sting but fade over time. This bomb of information was different. The sting grew and grew and my stomach rolled.
No. It’s not true.
My phone buzzed in my hands and I knew it was him. I couldn’t answer like this. My thoughts were jumbled and my heart hurt. I had to rationalize this truth bomb before talking to him. And that meant talking to my confidant. Megan. After ignoring Brigham’s call, I Facetimed Megan and found her in the middle of putting groceries away, this late in the evening. She said it was her favorite time to go, because no one was there and she hated people. It made sense.
“How’s my favorite human? You good, girl?” she said as a greeting. Her cheery freckled face paled when she saw my expression. “What happened?”
“You know I’m…friends with that sports ball guy across the hall.”
“What did the asshole do? Sports ballers are never good news.” She set a carton of soy milk on the counter and sighed like she carried my own sadness on her shoulders. “Tell me.”
“The weirdest thing happened. Mr. Alexandre’s brother came over for books while I was Facetiming Brigham and…” I faltered, hating the dryness in my throat. “He said he’s a drug-abusing playboy.”
“Woah.” Her brown eyes got wider. “Okay, don’t overthink it. You figured he was way of your sexual league, right?”
“Yes. It’s obvious.”
