Page 27 of Sinful Abandon

He leans down, grabs something out from the space beneath him, and lifts it up. In his hand is a pair of boring brown shoes. “I also have these.” Charlie is holding up Ryan’s shoes from that fateful night. “He was awfully chipper when he came through here. Asked where there was a nearby coffee shop.”

A smile tugs on my lips, but I pull it back. “Surprised you let him back up without my permission. I could have been dead.”

“I am a doorman, not a security guard. You want to bring random men into the building? That is your prerogative.” He nods to the shoes. “My only requirement is that I do not return these.”

I blow a stray piece of hair off my face. “You can toss them.”

I start to walk toward the elevator, leaving Ryan’s shoes with Charlie. I’m not walking into my office and handing Ryan his shoes, only to have someone notice. He can buy a new pair.

“Wait.” I turn around and walk back to Charlie. “I’ll take them.” I hold out a hand.

He hands me the size eleven shoes. “Change of heart?” His white brows are furrowed over his eyes.

I squint at the old man. “The kid doesn’t have a paying job. Maybe I’ll ship them to him or something.”

Charlie makes a harrumph sound. “As you wish…”

“What?” I ask with a tapping foot.

“Nothing, nothing,” His mouth is downturned as he starts fiddling with papers and whatnot on his desk. “You seemed rather pleasant the next day.”

As in, I’m not pleasant every other day? “He’s only twenty-one.”

This causes Charlie to laugh. “When I was his age, I had two kids and had fought in a war.”

My parents had me before they were old enough to drink, and look at where that led them. People under a certain age shouldn’t make life decisions.

“How did that turn out for you?” I ask with rudeness to my tone.

“Thirty years later, and she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on,” he says with metaphorical stars in his eyes.

“You’re one of the rarities then.” I slide my purse further up my shoulder. My ring catches the light and Charlie’s attention.

“I take it, he wasn’t the one to give you that piece of jewelry. Do I know the lucky fellow?”

“Yes. Jarrod. Dark skin. Salt-and-pepper hair—”

“Comes late at night and leaves before the sun comes up,” he says.

“Charlie!” While I’m quite fond of my doorman, I’m learning that he certainly is the old washwoman.

“Just an observation.” He tilts his head. “Besides, you’re a smart, successful woman, living in a place like this. You know what’s best.”

I slowly nod my head and turn away from him. I’ve made the right decisions for thirty-one years. I’m not about to start questioning myself when I’m so close to my goal.

“I hope you find who you’re looking for,” he says, forcing me to turn around.

When I do, I see he’s eyeing up the envelope in my hand.

“How did you know I was looking for someone?”

He leans in, and his pale eyes soften. “Heather, you’re the only person in this building who doesn’t have family come to visit.”

Observant people. Watch what you say around them and what you don’t say around them.

“And to think, I once called you charming.”

I hit the elevator button and step into the car. When it arrives on my floor, I walk to my apartment, open the door, and kick off my shoes.