The keycard beeped, and the door clicked open. I pushed it slightly, expecting stillness, maybe Honey curled on the couch all alone, waiting for me.
But instead—
There was someone there.
A woman. Early twenties, maybe mid. Perfectly put together in a neat sweater and jeans, scrolling through her phone on Joshua’s couch as if she belonged there.
Honey was perched beside her, tail flicking lazily, until she saw me. The tiny trouble froze for a split second, then bolted off the couch, paws padding against the floor as she sprinted toward me.
“Hey, baby,” I whispered instinctively, crouching down, scooping her up. Honey nuzzled into my chest, like always, purring, warm, familiar.
When I looked up again, the woman was standing.
She smiled politely, that kind of professional, practised smile. “Oh, hi. Sorry, you must be Miss Campbell, right?”
I blinked, confused. “Um…”
“I’m Emily,” she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “The caretaker. Mr Lockhart hired me.”
Caretaker.
My lips parted, but no sound came out.
Caretaker.
I looked down at Honey, who was purring happily in my arms, then back at the woman who’d been sitting where I usually sat.
“Oh,” I said softly. “Just a caretaker.”
“Mm-hmm.” Emily’s tone stayed bright. “He said he’s been busy with training lately and also class, too, right? So I come by to feed her, clean up, and make sure she’s okay.”
Right. Class and practice. Of course.
I nodded quickly, gripping Honey a little tighter before smiling, polite and quiet. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“It’s fine!” she chirped, reaching for her bag. “I was just about to leave, anyway.”
I stood there by the door, letting her pass, my heart oddly heavy.
Justa caretaker.
Of course he’d hire someone.
Why wouldn’t he?
For a moment, the air felt heavy in my throat, an awkward silence, the kind where I didn’t know if I should step forward or back. Emily was kneeling by the door now, slipping her shoes on, humming quietly as she adjusted the strap of her bag.
Then she smiled up at me, casual, easy. “You’re just as sweet as he mentioned.”
I froze, blinking once, twice. “He… what?”
She laughed softly, straightening. “Joshua. Mr Lockhart,” she corrected, catching herself. “He told me there might be a girl who comes up sometimes, small, about five-five, brown hair, soft and beautiful.”
My stomach flipped so fast it almost made me dizzy.
Beautiful?
Emily tilted her head with a grin, eyeing me up and down in a way that made it obvious she was connecting the dots. “He described you perfectly, by the way. You’re really pretty.”
