“Noah and I have been friends for a long fucking time. What we share is more than what you can even dream of, and your jealousy stinks. Move on.”
Her lip curls, but I don’t bother saying anything more. It’s unnecessary, and I certainly don’t need to be fighting a battle with someone who has no fucking idea about our story. As I step out of the building, my phone buzzes with a text.
Noah: I’m sorry, cricket. I promise I’ll make
it up to you. I love you.
Chapter Twenty-five
It’s way past midnight by the time I’m pulling into the underground parking lot beneath my apartment building. Sid stopped replying to my texts three hours ago, likely fallen asleep by now, and I can’t help but feel guilty for leaving her the way I did.
We got the breach sorted, but it took all afternoon and half the night to do it.
I am bone-tired.
My fucking fingers hurt from all the coding I had to do and all I want is to curl up with my girl.
Hitting the button on the elevator, the cart travels through the floors and stops on the very top, opening into my penthouse. The lamp in the living room is still on, the blanket left thrown across the cushions, but there’s no Sidney in sight.
Dropping my keys on the counter and toeing off my shoes, I head straight for the bedroom, finding her curled up on the bed, my pillow hugged close to her chest. She’s sound asleep, the lamp on my side left on.
Keeping my moves quiet, I get ready for bed and join her, removing the cushion from her grip so she can cuddle into me instead. She stirs only for a moment, mumbling incoherently in her sleep before she settles again, resting in the soft spot between my shoulder and neck.
Sleep finds me quickly, but when I wake up, Sidney isn’t beside me.
I bolt upright, panic setting in when I realize that side of the bed is cold, her phone gone from the bedside unit. “Sid?” I call, throwing back the covers. Only silence greets me in response.
I check the ensuite before I leave the bedroom, checking all the rooms, but she isn’t here.
A cold sweat breaks out on my skin, my stomach twisting until I see a note on the counter.
Gone to get coffee and breakfast.
Be back soon!
Love, Sid xo
Shaking my head, I let it hang between my shoulders, wondering where the fuck that panic just came from.The dread is still swirling when she returns, two coffees and a brown paper bag in tow. She sees me standing in front of her note and frowns, placing down the coffee and bag.
“What’s wrong?” Her head cocks.
Swallowing thickly, I push away that unease. “Nothing. It’s fine.”
“You look like you’re sweating.” She points out.
She stops in front of me and places her hand on my chest, so I seize the moment and kiss her, making sure none of this is a dream. At the back of my head, I’ve had this dread since she brought up Isaac before our date. It’s the feeling of knowing you’ve done something wrong, and you’re terrified you’re about to be caught out.
She melts into me before I pull away and kiss her forehead.
“Well, good morning to you too,” she smiles, reaching for one of the coffees to hand to me. “I can’t stay long; I have to collect my dress from the cleaners and then get ready for tonight. You’re picking me up at six, right?”
She plucks her coffee from the counter and then wanders to the couch, dropping down onto it before she turns to me and rests her chin on the back.
I nod, “Yeah, I’m driving though.”
“Okay,” she smiles. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Long night,” I rub the back of my neck. It’s not so much a lie, but it tastes sour, nonetheless.
