“I did. I’m sorry to bother you again, but Liam’s not home. Do you happen to have his manager’s number?”
“Of course. Just a second.”
There was a rustling sound as Simone messed with her phone. Would Spencer even give her the information she wanted? He was no doubt privy to what she’d done.
“Got it.” Simone rattled off the number and wished Chloe good luck.
Without waiting another second Chloe tapped out the number and waited. The phone rang once. Twice. Three times.
She was giving up hope when the call was answered. “Hello?”
“Um, is this Spencer?”
“Yes...”
“This is Chloe Anderson. I’m sorry to bother you, but I was hoping you might be able to tell me where Liam is tonight. I know you have no reason to—”
“Why are you asking?” His tone was guarded, and no wonder.
“I have to see him. It’s personal.”
“Where are you?”
“Here, in Santa Monica.” She glanced up the drive. “In his driveway actually. It’s entirely possible he’s home and just not letting me through the gate.”
Spencer snorted. “He’s not home. And I know exactly where he is.”
“Please tell me. I really blew it with him and I need to see him. I need to tell him how I feel even if—even if he doesn’t feel the same way.”
The long pause on the other end of the line tightened the knot in her throat. “I realize you have no reason to trust me. But I care abouthim deeply. The last thing I want to do is hurt him.” Another long pause had Chloe squeezing back tears.
“I’ll give you the address. Do you have a ride?”
Chloe exhaled. “Yes, an Uber.”
She returned to the vehicle, and as he rattled off the address she repeated it to the driver.
“Thank you, Spencer. You have no idea how much I appreciate this.”
“Good luck, Chloe.”
All the way back to LA Chloe repeated those last three words in her mind. Tried to decipher Spencer’s tone. Was it “Good luck, Chloe” as inYou’regonnaneed it? Or “Good luck” as inI’m pulling for you?
She still hadn’t decided when the Tesla pulled up in front of a beautiful hotel. She thanked the driver and headed toward the entrance. He’d said the Pinnacle Room. She had no idea what or where that was. The doorkeeper swept open the door and she stepped inside the grand gilded lobby. A woman slinked past in a little black dress and skinny heels that defied gravity, making Chloe doubly aware of her street clothes and white tennis shoes.
She strode toward the front desk to ask for directions.
But before she reached it, someone called her name. A brown-haired, thirtysomething man in a tuxedo approached. He wasn’t smiling. But he wasn’t frowning either. He had piercing green eyes and a little cowlick at his forehead.
“Spencer?”
He gave a nod. “Right this way. It’s a ticketed event but I can get you in.”
Event? She glanced down at her outfit. “Oh. Uh, maybe I should just wait till it’s over.”
“Not at all.” He took her arm and ushered her toward the elevator, which swept open at their approach. They stepped inside andhe pressed the 20 button—the highest floor in the building. The elevator lurched and they started upward.
Her mouth felt like the Sahara. “Are you sure this is okay? I left in a hurry and didn’t have time to change.”And also, he might take one look at me and turn the other way, and I’m not sure my heart can bear it.
