by Alexa Riley
I pull my bag over my shoulder and the doorman opens the door for me and nods. “Miss.”
“Thanks.” I fight a yawn as I hit the elevator button. I can feel a headache beginning to form and I need to lie down. If I let it get out of hand, it will quickly turn into a migraine, which is the last thing I need right now. I’m here to relax and to get away from Peter. He’s getting weirder by the day, and it’s making me uneasy. I started having crazy thoughts that he would break into my apartment or something. I need to lay off the murder podcasts I listen to, because it’s all going to my head.
I step onto the elevator and before long I hit the top floor. I’ve only been here once since Grams always came out to me when I was in college. We’d stay at some fancy hotel and live it up like a vacation.
I really should just move out here. I stayed after graduating because I debated getting my master’s and knew it would be easier to do it there. Now that I’ve finished my degree I haven’t made any steps to get it and I wonder if I really want it, or if I’m bored and looking for something to do.
When I step off the elevator, I hear music and voices coming from my gram’s place and smile. I guess I won’t be getting any sleep tonight. I knock on the door and no one answers. I can hear laughing over the music, so I knock harder this time.
“Raul, you’re late,” Grams says as she pulls open the door and then is shocked to see it’s me standing there. “Sugar!”
Grams grabs me and pulls me in for a giant bear hug. “I didn’t know you were coming.” She kisses me all over my face, which is something she’s done my whole life. It doesn't matter how old I am or where we are.
“Who’s Raul?”
She waves her hand dismissively at the question. “He’s just someone coming over to try and get in my pants.” But she leans in and winks. “I might let him.”
My grandma has a more active sex life than I do. Hell, she has a more active life than me altogether. It’s hard to believe we're from the same family. She’s an extrovert and I’m a complete introvert.
“Everyone, my granddaughter is here!” she announces to the group as she pulls me into her place.
“Hi.” There are at least twenty people here and I wave my hand nervously. Grams points everyone out, telling me their names like I could possibly remember them all. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You need a bingo card?” an older lady with pink hair asks.
“No, thanks.” I look at Grams. “I kind of want to lie down, my head hurts.” Maybe I can sneak off to the guest room.
“Migraine?” She touches my forehead with the back of her hand.
“Not yet.”
“Well, shit. The spare room is a mess. I’m having it redone.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I should have called and not popped in on you.”
“Oh please. You know I want you here anytime you’re able to come.” She turns to the crowd and waves a finger. “Don’t have any fun without me. I’ll be right back.”
She grabs a key off the entryway table and we walk out.
“Where are we going?”
“Next door. You can stay at Devin’s.”
I stop walking and shake my head. “No way.”
She’s been talking about Devin for months and how she wants me to meet him. She goes on and on about how handsome he is and that he needs to find a nice girl to settle down with because he works too much.
“I’m not meeting him right now. I’m a hot mess.”
“What are you talking about? You’re always adorable.”
I roll my eyes because that’s how she sees me, and adorable is not what I want a man to think when he looks at me.
“He’s not home anyway,” she says as she pulls on me with her freaky strength.
“Oh.” I’m surprised when I feel a small amount of disappointment. “Then what are we doing?”
“I’ve got the keys to his place.” She holds them up.
“Do you have to feed the dog or something?”
“No.” She lets out a laugh. “He’s not home enough to have pets.”
“Then what are we doing?”
“You’re staying here.” She says it like it’s obvious and unlocks the door.
“I can’t stay here.” She pulls me inside and shuts the door behind us. “Have you been hitting the gym or something?” I pull my wrist out of her hold and shake it.
“Water aerobics,” she answers casually as she flips on the lights.
“Whoa.” I glance around the massive space that looks like a museum. “No wonder he doesn't have pets.” I look down at the spotless hardwood floors. Are they black? This whole place is so shiny and new, I should take my shoes off. “I really can’t stay here. I’ll get something dirty or break it.”
“It’s fine.” She takes my bag from off my shoulder. “You rest up here. They are going to be going all night and you need to sleep off your headache. We know how bad your migraines can get. Oh, you should take a dip in the tub,” she says before kissing my cheek and putting my bag down on an oversized chair.
“What if he comes home?”
“He won't, he's in Paris.”
That sounds glamorous and exciting.
She gives me another quick kiss and a hug. “I’ll see you in the morning. Lock the door behind me.”
I follow her out, knowing this isn't a fight I’m going to win. Plus this place is looking so peaceful compared to the party next door. I wave to Grams and lock the door before turning to face the beautiful home.
Yeah, maybe I should go check out that tub she was talking about.
Chapter Four
Devin
It’s the middle of the night when I get home and I’m exhausted. It took three days longer than I expected it to, but I’m glad to have the case closed. I didn’t want to chance having to go back for another mediation, so although it was longer, it’s finished.
I toss my keys on the table in the foyer and don’t bother turning on a light. All I want to do is face plant on my bed for a few precious hours until I have to go into the office. The time change is the worst part even though I wasn’t there for very long.
When I see my perfectly made bed, I nearly groan with relief and need. I quickly strip naked and toss my phone on the nightstand before I peel back the covers and pour myself in. The cool sheets, the soft mattress, and the silk pillowcase Renee got me for Christmas are like aloe on a burn. The comfort is instant and I breathe deep, settling my body into place.
As I lie there I have this feeling that something is off. It’s not the sheets or the mattress but there’s something different. I inhale again and there’s a soft scent I can’t place. I bury my face in my pillow and it’s strongest there. Is it lavender? It’s something floral but not pungent. I inhale once more and there’s a calming scent to it.
I put one arm under the pillow and one over the top as I hug it to me. My cleaning crew must have used a new detergent and I need to tell them to keep using it. The fragrance is so comforting, and it’s like I can’t get close enough.
I rest my cheek against the cool silk and close my eyes once more. Without another thought, I’m falling fast asleep.
The sound of my bedroom door opening has me jolting out of bed. Everything is blurry as the sun pours into my room and I see my sister come into focus.
“Thank god,” she says as she glares at me. “I’ve been trying to call you for the past hour. Jesus, Devin, I thought you were dead in the Atlantic Ocean!”
“I missed you too.” I use the heel of my hand to rub the sleep out of my eyes as I try and figure out what time it is. I grab my phone off my nightstand and then I’m wide awake. “Fuck, how is it lunchtime? I only meant to sleep for an hour or two.”
“Yeah, I know. I kept thinking you were just catching up after the time change, but then you didn’t answer your phone and I got worried.”
“I’m sorry, Nee, I forgot to set my alarm.” I unlock my phone and see ten missed calls and nearly three dozen missed te
xts.
She lets out a long sigh and visibly relaxes. “It’s okay. I just freaked out and got my heart rate up for no reason. Guess I don’t have to do my cardio later at least.”
“You’re welcome.” She rolls her eyes and then sets a coffee down on my nightstand, along with a note.
“Get up, asshole, we've got a meeting in an hour.” She starts to walk out of the room but calls over her shoulder. “Your neighbor left you that note. What’s her name again?”
“Betty,” I say as I sit up and grab the coffee.
“That’s right. I like her.” She closes my bedroom door and I throw the comforter off of me, thankful I wasn’t uncovered when she barged in here.
I walk naked into my bathroom, carrying my coffee with me. I’m already mentally rearranging my day and thinking about what I’ve got to push back because I overslept. How the hell did I do that? I never have a full night's sleep no matter how tired I am. Even if I didn’t set an alarm, my body should have gotten me up.
The glass shower door is open, which is weird, and the toilet seat is down. I need to check and see if the cleaning crew is on a new schedule this month, because they don’t normally come so close together.
I take a quick shower, and when I get out I grab my towel. Once again I smell that fragrance they used on the sheets and I bury my face in it. Damn, that must have been what conked me out last night. I’m going to have to buy a hundred bottles of the stuff because I can’t get enough of it.
Once I shave and put my suit on, I grab my phone and meet my sister in the kitchen. She’s finishing what looks like a sandwich and talks to me with her mouth full.
“You ready?” I think she says, and I nod.
“You engaged?” I ask. She pauses with her dish halfway in the sink and then shrugs as she finishes chewing. “Couldn’t find the perfect moment?” She shrugs again even though she’s swallowed the food in her mouth. “You’ll get there.”
I don’t want to push her too much on the subject. I know she loves Danielle and she wants to be with her forever. Renee just second-guesses every decision in her life.
She made more coffee for me so I can fill up my cup again with much-needed caffeine. When I’m pouring the coffee, something orange catches the corner of my eye and I look over to see a hair tie lying on the counter next to the refrigerator. Renee has a short pixie cut so there’s no way it’s hers. Shit, did the cleaning crew leave this behind too?
“Let’s go,” Renee says as she dries her hands.
Without another thought about it, I grab my keys off the table and we walk out into the hallway. Just as I close the door, my neighbor comes out at the same time.
“Hi, Mrs. Betty,” Renee says brightly and Betty beams at the two of us.
She’s got on a lime green jumpsuit with white sunglasses Elton John would be jealous of. “Well, hello to you too. Getting a late start to the day?” she says, looking at my coffee cup.
“Jet lag is awful.” I smile at her as I push the elevator button. “Where are you off to?”
“I’ve got a salsa class I’m late for, and then I’m having margaritas at the pier with some girlfriends.”
“I’m so jealous right now,” Renee groans, and I can’t say I disagree.
“You both are too young to be working so hard.” She tips down her glasses and gives me a pointed look. “Speaking of working hard, did you get my note?”
Shit, I forgot to read it, but I don’t want to be rude. “Yes, and thanks again for looking after things for me while I was gone.”
“Great, I'm glad it wasn’t a problem.” She puts her glasses back in place and smiles. “I’m hoping one day you two can meet.”
I curse myself again for not reading the note, but I don’t have time to go look right now. I’ll have to check it when I get home, and that’s going to be late tonight.
“Me too,” I say as I get on the elevator and we ride down together.
As much as I’d love to know what she’s talking about, I’ve got far too much else to focus on with work.
Chapter Five
Erin
“Get a dog, they said. It will be fun, they said.” Moose lies in the middle of the sidewalk, not moving. “You’re making this adoption thing really easy on me.” I put my hand on my hip, glaring down at him and trying to show authority, but all he does is flop his tongue out in the most adorably annoying way.
“I’m sorry. That was mean.” I drop down onto my knees in the middle of the sidewalk and people have to walk around us. I hear some of their choked laughter and I can’t help but chuckle myself. “We both know I’m going to keep you.”
I got to take Moose for a trial visit to see if we were compatible. I’d gone to the animal shelter looking for a mean fierce dog, but now I have a giant fluff ball who might weigh more than me. He also hates walks, so we have a lot in common.
“You gotta get up.” He rolls over onto his back and I scratch his belly. “You’re supposed to be my fierce guard dog.” He rolls back over, finally getting up onto all fours, then licks me right across my face. “Well, then. I was going to see if Jenna could make you one of those puppuccino drinks everyone has been talking about, but I’ve changed my mind.” He gives me another lick, calling my bluff.
“Then let's go.” I push up off the ground, wiping my knees off. “You gonna walk now?” I step aside, giving him plenty of space, and he actually gets up. I had no idea some dogs hate walks—Moose just wants to lie on the sofa watching reality TV. He’s really living the dream.
“This way.” I gently tug on his leash when we get to the end of the street and he looks both ways and agrees with me. The leash is pointless because Moose only goes where he wants to. I’m going to have to look into doggie school or something.
When I get to the coffee shop, I see a no dogs sign on the window which I’d never noticed before. Moose barks and I nod. “I hear you. Looks like neither of us are getting anything.” But just as I’m about to leave, Jenna sees us and waves me in. I point down to Moose and her eyes widen at the massive dog at my side. She comes around the counter and opens the door with a gasp.
“What the hell is that?”
“Moose.”
“He’s going to need three puppuccinos.”
“He’s been a bad dog, he shouldn’t even get one.” Moose looks up at me with the saddest eyes. “Okay, he can have four,” I say, and Jenna bursts into laughter.
“He’s already working you over, I see. Get in here. I just pulled fresh cookies out.”
“The sign.” I point to it.
“What’s Reed going to do? Fire me?” She rolls her eyes and she’s probably right.
They have this weird dance they do around each other, and to be honest, she runs the place. I guess that’s good because Reed is not someone I would ever picture owning a bakery and coffee shop. When I first met him, he was in a fancy suit which was definitely not a mom and pop coffee shop vibe. Then he took the suit jacket off and tattoos peeked out everywhere. The man was an enigma, which I think Jenna is in love with, but would die before ever admitting it.
“Where is Reid?” I look around the shop and it’s empty, but it’s late.
“I don’t know, maybe at a biker club.”
“A what?”
“I don’t know. He was on a bike yesterday.” She holds her hands out like she’s revving up a motorcycle.
“Can you show me that again?” I fight a smirk.
“Shut up.” She throws a napkin at me and Moose catches it. He chews on it for a second before spitting it back out, clearly not pleased with the taste. “When did you get this adorable pup?”
Pup? He’s massive. “I thought I could use some company.” Why talk to myself all day when I could talk to a dog instead?
“He’s awfully big. Don’t you think you should have gotten a smaller one?”
“He’s just fluffy.” I cover his ears and she gives me a suspicious look. “He was supposed to be mean and fierce.”
“And
why do you need a mean and fierce dog?” She hands me a fresh cookie before she starts making me a drink.
“I’m a single girl all alone.” I take a bite and groan. No one makes sweets like Jenna.
“Is this about Creepy Peter?”
“He is creepy, isn't he?” It makes me feel marginally better knowing I’m not the only one who saw it.
“I didn't think much of him before, but he is weird around you. He asked me about you while you were gone at your grandma's.”
“Did he really?” I cringe because that’s so weird. Or maybe it’s the neighborly thing to do? My Grams watches her neighbor’s place.
“More like interrogated me. He got angry about it when I wouldn’t tell him shit and he stormed out of here.”
“He’s making me uncomfortable.”
“You should report him or something.”
“Can I report someone for making me uncomfortable? He hasn't done anything and I’m pretty sure being creepy isn't against the law.”
If it is, I'm in trouble because I spent entirely too much time smelling Devin’s pillow the other night. Along with a little snooping around. I couldn't find one picture of him and I was disappointed. I did find quite a few pictures of a beautiful leggy brunette. She was stunning and polished, which would definitely fit Devin’s posh apartment.
“No, but you can tell him to fuck off.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone that before. Isn’t my mean dog supposed to do that?” Moose barks and I swear sometimes I think he can understand me. “Thankfully I haven't seen him since I got back, so maybe he’s done being creepy.”
“He’ll never not be creepy.” She hands me my drink before leaning over the counter to give Moose his.
He eats the whole thing in one giant lick. “I’m thinking about moving apartments.”
“It’s so messed up that he gets to be a creep and you have to move.”
“I agree and I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. If I’m going to move, I might as well really move and not just switch places.”
