Notlikedher.
I was still engaged to Felice.
Planning to marry her the week after that night.
But I appreciated that woman at the event. Noticed her for the kindness.
Because the second time I saw her, when a server hit the ground and started having a seizure, the same woman who’d easily saved Imogen Carter from the annoying older man was the first person dropping to the ground next to the server, calling for help and clearing the server’s dropped tray away to make room for someone like me—security with medical training—to get there and assist.
She was calm, collected, and compassionate in a place where everyone else was ego and arrogance, and I wanted to know who she was.
I wanted to know who she was and why she was there with that crowd.
And then, when my world imploded not twenty-four hours later, losing both my job and my fiancée in practically the same breath, I wondered if that woman would’ve shown me the same kindness if I’d wanted a shoulder to cry on.
I shake my head.
Definitely need to go for a hike too. Touch some nature. Relax.
Pull up my computer and confirm for myself that I’m hallucinating and need to get out more and worry less.
“Coffee to go for me too,” Decker says to Sabrina. “And two more scones.” He jerks his head at Lucky and Margie, who are finishing up with Cedar. “Put theirs on my tab too.”
Margie squints again, this time at me, and fuck me sideways.
It’s that little lift in her eye.
That’s too distinct.
And I’m losing my fucking mind because how the hell would a housekeeper from Des Moines have been in the same place with the world’s most important hospitality dinner in Manhattan?
And why is the idea that it’s her making my hidden-in-stone heart flutter unevenly?
“So I guess I’ll see you at home?” she says to me.
“I’ll announce my presence.”
Lucky grins. Decker grimaces.
“If I’d known you were coming—” she starts, then shakes her head and smiles at me. Full-on beams, actually. With white teeth flashing and eyes bright and cheerful, her lips smooth and plump and the perfect shade of pink. “Thank you. I appreciate the thoughtfulness. A girl can’t be too careful.”
“As you’ve said.” I look at her once more, a good long look, then turn and leave without another word.
I don’t tell Decker I’ll meet him outside.
He knows. He’s seen me bail on crowded restaurants before. This won’t be fully weird.
What would be weird is if his half sister was in New York as a guest of some kind at my last security event with the company that my stepfather stole from me.
And she couldn’t have been.
I just need a reboot, and then I’ll get back to normal.
5
I DIDN’T KNOW I’D WANT FAMILY THIS MUCH
Margot
