“I wasn’t, but that doesn’t mean that’s not the case.”
His eyes dance with mirth. “This is it.”
Before he can say anything more, his phone vibrates, and he pulls it out of the holder in the door. After a quick glance at the screen, he answers.
“Hey, how are you?” There’s a brief pause before he says, “Good. Ariana, can I call you back in a bit? I’m in the middle of something.”
A female voice on the other end says something, and he laughs and ends the call.
Something about the way he laughs—in such a comfortable way, as though he’s done it a thousand times before with this Ariana—twists my insides. There was a carefree and light note to it that I’ve never heard him use with me.
Who is she? A girlfriend? A wife? The idea makes bile race up my throat. I’ve never asked if he’s married, though he doesn’t wear a ring. Maybe it was someone who works for him. It is Monday afternoon after all. His business doesn’t stop just because he’s helping me.
The better question is, why do I even care? He’s been a little flirty with me at times, but he never outright said anything to make me think he’s interested in me. Do I even want him to be? Now that he’s going to be my boss, it’s an especially bad idea, never mind the age gap and how clearly different we are.
“Hattie.”
I blink and look over at Bastion.
He tilts his head and studies me. “Where were you just now?”
I shake my head. “Nowhere. Sorry, this is all a little overwhelming. Did you say something?”
“I asked if you’re ready to go inside.” He motions to the window behind me.
It’s then I realize that we’ve turned into a parking garage under a tall condo building.
“I’m confused. This isn’t the place you showed me on your phone.” I turn to look at Bastion as the driver parks the car near an elevator in the underground garage. The place that Bastion showed me was a triplex, and I was meant to be staying on the top floor.
He cringes. “Sorry, I forgot to tell you. There was an issue with the roof, and it leaked into your unit. I’m going to have it repaired, but the damage was extensive. I had to improvise.”
“Oh no, that’s too bad. I’m sorry you have to deal with that. Am I going to be able to afford this place?”
This building is way fancier than the other one he showed me. It was nice, but from what I saw on the outside, this one screams money. A quick glance out the window confirms it. There’s barely any dust on the asphalt, and the brass elevator door gleams.
“Well, I think so. It’s free.” He grins.
I shake my head, confused. “How is that possible?”
With one hand on the door handle, he pushes open the door. “You’ll be living with me.”
Then he exits the back seat and slams the door closed.
I’m sorry. What?
I so wasn’t prepared for this.
15
BASTION
“Bastion, I can’t live with you!” Hattie rounds the back of the SUV where I’m talking to the driver, tipping him while instructing him to hand off the bags to the doorman in the lobby.
I have to suppress my grin. Hattie played into my plan so perfectly when I offered her the job. And when she agreed to live in my apartment? Even better.
There is an apartment, and it is currently vacant, but there’s nothing wrong with it. She doesn’t have to know that. Getting Hattie to live with me is just one step closer to the goal. The more time I spend with her, the more I can get her to like me and the faster I can get her into my bed, among other things I have planned.
I don’t know what it was like to be excited for Santa to come on Christmas Eve—my childhood didn’t allow for that—but I imagine it must be something close to what I’m feeling now.
