His jaw tightened. He didn’t like it, but I pressed my index finger to my lips and slid out the door.
Jenny.
She stood by the kitchen island, a stack of folders in one hand, typing something on her phone with the other.
Shoot.I'd given her a key to my place for emergencies, but she’d never used it before. “Jenny? Can I help you?”
She jerked, seeming surprised to see me. “You’re awake.”
“What are you doing here?”
She gave me a strange look. “Dropping off the letters you need to sign for the animal rescue charity. You said you’d be sleeping in late after your party, and that I could just come right in. Is everything okay?”
God, she was right. The memories hit me all at once. How had I managed to forget she was supposed to stop by this morning? “I’m sorry,” I stammered. “It was a late night.”
Jenny cocked her hip and leaned against the counter, sliding her phone back inside her purse. “Have fun?”
“Yeah. Yeah, it was…” I scrambled for words. “Beautiful event. Everyone’s gowns were stunning. And the art… The art was amazing. Rembrandt, I think.”
Jenny smirked. “You look exhausted. Had a few drinks? Nothing I should know about, I hope?”
“No, no. Nothing at all.”
Her gaze swept over me, searching for clues of misbehavior. I kept my face neutral, refusing to give anything away, but a prickle of annoyance appeared in the back of my mind.
Jenny often treated me like I was a misbehaving teenager, even though nothing was further from the truth.
Until last night.
A beat passed before she seemed satisfied. She turned toward the door. “Great. I should get ba—” Her body froze mid-step.
I followed her gaze, and my stomach dropped.
Hanging on one of the hallway hooks was Romolo’s coat, just where I put it when we stumbled in yesterday.
Jenny glanced over her shoulder, one brow raised. “Is someone else here?”
Panic wrapped around my lungs and squeezed.
Stay cool.
A slew of excuses threatened to spill past my tongue, but I managed to keep my mouth shut long enough to decide I didn’t owe Jenny an explanation. “Don’t worry about it.”
A slow, knowing smile spread across her lips. “What’s his name?”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m allowed to have a private life, aren’t I?”
She narrowed her eyes at my attempt at setting a boundary, likeIwas the one out of line. “Could’ve texted me, you know. I would’ve left the letters with the doorman.”
Thank God Romolo had worn his mask last night. Even if she asked the doorman about my guest, he wouldn’t be able to tell her anything identifying.
“I honestly forgot you were coming by, but thanks for dropping everything off. I’ll make sure to get it done today.”
Jenny’s eyes flicked to my neck.
Shit.
“Maybe cover up that hickey for the event tonight,” she added, a cool note slipping into her tone.
