I step back and slide a hand down her arm, hooking my finger through hers. “Come on, let’s go home.”
Chapter 25
Sadie
The next day, the buzzer goes just as I’m putting a slice of bread in the toaster. James’s parents disappeared to the 9/11 Memorial about a half hour ago, and James said he was going to take advantage of them being occupied to go on a long bike ride and took off at the crack of dawn. He tried to persuade me to go with him for at least some of it, but today I’ve got a date with Brandon Sanderson. Who cycles at 7 a.m. on a Sunday?
I pick up the intercom. “Hello?”
“Sadie. Darius here. There’s a friend of James’s in reception.” The handset goes muffled for a second. “She says her name is Jane.”
My eyes bug out. Jane? Jane’s here? I glance at my watch. It’s 8:30 a.m. Why has she turned up? After that dinner last night, perhaps she’s come for some kind of chat with James … Panic grips my chest.
“James isn’t here … He …” I trail off, and there’s a long pause. God, I can’t leave her standing in the lobby. “Okay, Darius.”
“I’m sending ’er up!” he says, and the handset goes dead.
Oh, Christ.
I stand in the entryway looking down at my huge cardigan and fluffy slippers. Shit, I’m not dressed for an encounter with James’s ex-girlfriend.James kissed you. It almost stopped my heart. I have no idea what itmeant—a rebound kiss? He said he wanted to treat me well. No one has ever said that.Oh my God!
I race into my bedroom, throw my cardigan on the bed, and scuff out of my slippers. I drag on a fitted sweater, then dash to the bathroom and run a brush through my hair. I stare at my face in the mirror. Makeup? Do I have time? The door buzzer echoes through the apartment.Crap.
When I reach the entrance area, Mr. Karen is sitting on the mat, little kitty eyes fixed on the door, and I pick him up. I’m starting to think he’s sharper than he lets on—he’s figured out what that sound means.Escape! Freedom!
When I open the door, a woman is standing there, hair in a high ponytail, full makeup enhancing her pretty face. She’s wearing some kind of sleek sports gear.I’ll bet that’s another $300 cycling jacket, right there.
Her eyes narrow. “You must be Sadie,” she says, holding out a hand, and I stretch out mine as her gaze roves over Mr. Karen. “James mentioned he’d got a cat.”
I stroke Mr. K’s head, and he starts purring. “He’s on loan from the shelter.”
“Ah, yes. James also told me that.”
Her eyes track all over me, taking everything in, and my face heats. Goddamn my blushing, I can never appear cool. “He’s always been one for rescuing strays and misfits,” she says. “Is he in?”
“He went out on his bike. He said he might be gone for a while.”
She frowns. “I messaged him last night after our dinner about going on a ride together today, but he didn’t respond, so I thought I’d just drop by.”
Isn’t Kevin here for the weekend? God, did James go out to avoid her?Uh-oh.
She peers over my shoulder. I can’t leave her standing in the hallway, can I? “Would you like to come in?”
I shuffle back as she walks over the threshold, and her eyes widen. “My goodness! This is a very nice place. So close to downtown and James’s work. No wonder he didn’t want to come back to Brooklyn,” she says.
This apartment was not the reason, I want to say, but, of course, I can’t say that.
I lean forward and shut the door, putting Mr. Karen on the floor, whostalks off, flicking his tail at me. Yeah, buddy, stay in your lane. Honestly, this cat’s attitude is a mile wide.
“Would you like a coffee?” I say.
“That would be great.” She turns and her eyes narrow. “James said you’re living here?” She tips her head to one side.
“That’s right.”
“How did that come about?”
Oh fuck. How about:I was forced to leave home because my stepdad is a slimy asshole? I shrug as I head over to the coffee machine. “I was looking for a place just as Des was leaving.”
