His big hands take the steering wheel, and that huge watch glinting in the light, makes this moment even more surreal.
“You look scared.”Zach glances at me as he drives.“Don’t be.You’re staying somewhere safe.”
“This evening hasn’t gone the way I thought it would.”My fingers thread together, on my lap, my thoughts racing faster than the city lights in the window.“I don’t mean that in a bad way.”
He doesn’t say anything, but this entire time, he’s always the one willing to help and talk, and I’ve constantly pushed him away.I’m not scared.I feel safe with him, but I’m more worried than anything that the security guard will tell Katherine, and I have no way of explaining myself.
I also never told Mom that the apartment was being fumigated, and now I’m glad I didn’t, because I don’t know how I’d explainthis.Me being in Zach’s car, the son of the man who wronged her, not sure of where I’m going.No questions asked, because he asked if I trusted him.
Everything I promised myself I’d never do, out of loyalty to my mom, and here I am, doing it.Letting Zach Knight help me.I stare straight ahead, my jaw and neck muscles feeling tight, even though I should feel relieved that I have a place to stay tonight.There’s no way I could have stayed at the office once the security guard caught us.
Zach has fixed it, again.
Because he has money.
Because he has the Knight name.
But it’s not just that.I’ve been reducing him to that, but the truth is, all he’s ever shown me is kindness.All he’s ever done is help me.From the moment Cecil’s laptop went flying out of my hands and hit the floor, to giving me a project at work, and now he’s saved me again.
I’m not falling apart, though some days it sure feels like it.I’m a practical person, which is why staying in Katherine’s office made so much sense.If I had the security codes to the executive rooms upstairs, I would have slept there and Zach wouldn’t have found me.I wouldn’t be in this situation now; staying at his apartment for a few nights.
And if the security guard had found me, and Zach hadn’tt been around, I would’ve ended up paying five hundred pounds a night for a hotel room.Tomorrow night, it would’ve been a thousand.That’s rent money I can’t afford to throw around.
The car slows, then stops.
“Tribeca?”
He nods.“I live around here, not far.”
“You’re taking me to your place?”I cry, heart thumping with shock, or maybe excitement.
“I told you you’re not staying at my apartment.”He gives me a knowing, cheeky stare.“Would you like me to take you to my place?”
I thump him lightly, while my heart still thunders inside my chest.I can’t believe this man.I’m emotionally worn out, and he’s joking around.
“Relax.I’m about a ten-minute walk from here.Same neighborhood.”He stops abruptly, as if he’s ashamed to admit his wealth.
I’m still wrapping my head around where we are.
That he owns a place here.
Not one place, but ‘a few’.
And this isn’t even his home.
We get out, and I stare at the apartment block, my neck craning as I take it all in.This can’t be real.It looks like the expensive apartments I dream about.“Wow.I never thought I’d actually get to spend a night in a place like this.”
“Yeah?”he says, casual and dismissive, almost like he’s ashamed.Maybe because I’ve been pushing back on him and his wealthy background.Instead of focusing on that, I should be thankful that I’m standing in front of a gorgeous apartment block, and about to stay in an apartment he owns, because he’s generous, and caring, and he didn’t hesitate to make sure I had somewhere safe to sleep.
He’s still got a heart of gold, despite his privilege.It didn’t change him.I feel a weight roll off my chest.“Thank you, for this.I really appreciate it.”
“My pleasure.”
We go inside.He talks to the concierge at the desk, and we get into the elevator which softly hums softly as we ascend.
“The concierge is there twenty-four seven,” he tells me.
I feel so abundant, in this surreal moment, getting into an elevator with Zach, going tomyapartment.It’s not mine, but for a few nights I’m going to pretend it is.
