“Are you fucking kidding me?” Riley starts to laugh, her expression full of shock. “He’sgorgeous. No wonder you did what you did.”
I try to look nonchalant, but my body betrays me. My pulse slams in my wrists, cheeks fully on fire, and legs fused to the plastic decking. I want to run but am painfully aware that it would only draw more attention to myself.
And to make it all worse, Beck doesn’t miss a beat. He finishes pouring a pink cocktail for the brunette at the bar, wipes his hands, and then gives me a big wave.
“Maddy Williams,” he calls out across the patio. “I wondered if it wasyouon the tenant list.”
I die a little inside, while Riley’s giggles only grow.
The two women at the bar pivot in unison, giving me the up-and-down. Riley, never one to back down from a Mean Girls standoff, stares them down right back. I love her.
What the ever-loving fuck is happening right now?
“Should we go say hi?” Riley smirks, already moving.
“We should run,” I mumble, but it’s too late—she’s got me by the wrist, dragging me toward the bar like a mother yanking her toddler through the grocery store mid-tantrum.
The closer we get, the more unreal this gets. It’s definitely Beck. He’s definitely as hot as ever—maybe even hotter—and he lookswaytoo happy to see me.
“Maddy,” he says in his deepest, sexiest voice. “Didn’t expect to see you here at The Apex.”
I fumble for words. “I… we just moved in. Wanted to check out the pool.” My voice cracks like I’m in middle school.
“Welcome to the pool then,” he says, like he’s the mayor of the place. He glances at Riley. “And who is this?”
“Her roommate and best friend, Riley,” she beams.
Beck nods, all charm. “Nice to meet you. Welcome. You seem like you’re a lot of fun.”
Riley throws me a look, then says, “Maddy says the same about you.”
Beck’s eyes flick to me. “Is that so?”
“Please kill me,” I whisper, but under my breath.
Why the hell is he here?
He reaches under the bar, produces two glasses, and with minimal showmanship fills one with a frozen lemonade for Riley and one with a strawberry-lime seltzer for me. “On the house,” he says.
I want to melt into the concrete, but instead I just thank him and try not to spill it down my chest.
I try to focus on the seltzer, the bubbles burning as they slide down my throat. Riley, meanwhile, is working overtime, interrogating Beck about the building, the view, and the best places to eat nearby. He answers with the ease of someone who could sell ice to an Eskimo.
Why is he so freaking charming?
Beck catches my attention once his spiel is over. “Modern Edge built this place. We made sure the amenities were top-notch. The gym, the spa, the pool, it’s all about luxury.”
My heart stops.
“Wait,” Riley cuts in, “as in, your company owns the place?”
Beck grins. “And manages it. I actually just moved in, and my partners will do the same.” He winks at me. “You should stop by for a tour of my penthouse sometime. I’ll show you the best views in the city.”
Riley nearly falls off the stool. “She loves a good view. Huge fan.”
I want to hit her. Hard. But I still need to clarify something.
“So, you’re my boss and my landlord?” I hold his gaze.
