My hands shake.
Did he really find me? Was he watching me tonight?
I read the words again.
Blood roars in my ears and sweat breaks out along my hairline as I see three dotsappear on my screen.
Unknown
Are you using my money to rent out that stupidly big condo? You fucking cunt.
I swallow, but my throat is dry.
He has to be bluffing, right? But then how would he know about this condo?
The security here seems top notch. They have a gated parking garage and added a front-desk checkpoint since I visited three years ago with Charlie. Plus, Dennis might’ve seen me go into the building, but he doesn’t knowwhichcondo.
My racing heart slows a bit, but I jump when a gentle hand lands on my shoulder, and I manage to lose my grip on my phone. It lands on the floor with a clatter.
“Shit,” I glance at Brantley before I bend to grab it quickly.
I didn’t even realize they’d approached, but somehow they’re on either side of me. When I stand, my shoulders graze Seb’s bicep and Brantley’s chest. My ramped-up anxiety plus being so close to them is making me lightheaded.
Why do they smell so good?
Seb looks suspicious and B looks worried. I swallow.
I shove my phone in my back pocket and walk back to the kitchen, grab my beer and take a long sip. I turn, leaning my back against the island counter, and catch Seb’s ice-blue eyes. “B is looking for a job, you know. Didn’t you say the pub needs a dishwasher?”
“Please,” Sebastian scoffs. “I’d hire one of Gabriella’s toddlers before I’d hirehim. They’d probably be more qualified.”
B’s gaze darkens. “Do you seriously think I can’t wash dishes?”
I take a deep breath and clutch my drink, but my hands are still shaking.
“I’ll have you know, freshman year in college, I worked at the cafe running the dishwasher. Tell him, Fi.”
My head snaps up, my attention rubber banding back to the guys, who are looking at me expectantly. “Uh, yup, he sure did.”
Seb cocks his head. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, totally fine.” I take a deep breath. “What’s your plan, B? Can I walk you home?”
Seb frowns at the same time that Brantley shakes his head, the dark strands of his hair falling over his forehead. “I can walk myself home, Fi. Thank you for letting me use the shower.” He glances at Sebastian, anxiously peeling the label from the bottle in his hand. “And I promise I’ll return the clothes.”
“Keep them,” Sebastian grumbles, snatching the empty from Brantley’s grip and stalking into the kitchen. Brantley looks a little crestfallen, and I almost smile—it’s like having Eeyore and Tigger in the same room.
B edges to the door and grabs his coat from the hook. “See you around?”
Without thinking, I walk forward and wrap my arms around him, closing my eyes at the feel of his warmth seeping into my body. He stiffens in surprise but then returns the embrace, his strong arms holding me tightly against his chest, his chin resting on the top of my head.
Is this the last time I’ll see him? Maybe.
“Take care of yourself, B,” I say quietly.
I hear him swallow thickly. “I’ll try,” he murmurs. Then he leaves, the door clicking quietly closed behind him.
When I turn, I see Sebastian watching me from the kitchen. Now that I really study him, I notice the dark smudges under his blue eyes, which look almost black in the dim lighting.
