I caught sight of red hair before the person dropped to their knees to pick up the scattered items on the floor. Guilt filled me as I squatted down, placing my gym back next to me, and picked up a tube of lipstick.
“I’m sorry,” I started to apologize. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“Yeah, clearly,” the girl in front of me muttered. She lifted her head, and it felt like a sucker punch to the stomach.
Bright green eyes framed by long lashes met mine. A dusting of freckles dotted her nose and cheeks, my eyes tracing them for a split second before moving down to her lips. Lips that were set in a straight line.
“You.” Her tone had my focus darting back up to her eyes.
Kneeling in front of me was the same girl I ran into yesterday outside of Alessandro’s. Her vibrant hair was pulled into a ponytail, the long strands falling down her back.
“You,” I repeated. The way her emerald eyes narrowedwith heat had my lips pulling up into a smile. “We meet again.”
“Is running into women your MO or something?” Her words held a bit of bite to them.
“Only pretty girls.” The words slipped free before I could stop them. Inwardly, I winced. That didn’t come out right. “I mean, not young girls because that would be weird and inappropriate. I mean,women.” My words tripped over each other, and I was helpless to stop them.
What the fuck?
“Okay.” She raised an eyebrow at me. I couldn’t tell if she was amused or pissed off. Both of us slowly got back to our feet, my hand still holding the tube of lipstick. “Well, not nice running into you again.”
“Mateo.”
“Yeah, I didn’t ask.” The beautiful redhead stepped to the right, but I found myself sliding in front of her so she couldn’t get past.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Not happening.” She stepped to the left, but I mirrored her.
“That’s a beautiful name. It really fits you.” For some reason, I wanted to see her smile. Did she have a dimple? Was her smile as blinding as I thought it would be?
“I told you mine. It’s only fair for you to give me yours,” I pointed out.
“Well, good thing I don’t play fair.” She crossed her arms. I took a second to fully take her in.
She was short—maybe five-three, if that—and her head barely came to my chest. I liked that she had to crane her neck to see my face. Unlike yesterday, she was wearing a pair of light-washed jeans and a cropped T-shirt, a peek of pale skin showing when she crossed her arms.
“I can’t even get a hint?” I asked, plastering on my bestinnocent look that always worked with Josie, Tasha, Lydia, and Mila.
“Uh, no.” This time when she moved to step around me, I let her.
Something sparked underneath my skin. Something I couldn’t name but was curious about. Who was she? She must have been someone to the organization or she wouldn’t be allowed in the building. Maybe she was part of the media team? They kept hiring new people. It was hard to keep track of.
Before she could make it too far away, I stopped her one last time.
“Hey.” A sigh came from her before she turned her body to look at me. The over-it look on her face made my lips twitch. “This is yours.” I extended the lipstick tube.
When she reached out to grab it, the tips of her fingers grazed the top of mine. It was just a touch, yet I felt it down to my toes. Again, what the fuck?
All I got was a nod before she turned on her heel again and started down the hall. Unable to help myself, I called out to her.
“I’m going to find out your name!”
“Good luck!” she yelled over her shoulder, not breaking stride.
“I do love a challenge.” I smirked at her receding figure.
I didn’t know who she was, but I was going to find out.
