“Oh, come on. Give yourself some credit. What’s wrong with you?”
“Have you seen the women he dates?” I shake my head. “Trust me. It’s best I stay in my lane.”
“Change your damn lane. Carpool! Problem solved.”
“Ha! Easy for you to say. You’re gorgeous.”
“So are you.” Her phone pings, and she looks at the screen and lets out a frustrated breath. “Ugh. I gotta pack.”
“For what?”
She closes her eyes wearily. “My boss wants me to accompany him to London.Now. It’s a good thing I have a passport.”
“Don’t let him work you too hard.” Her boss can be more melodramatic than a husky that’s been left at home. The man lives to work.
She blows air out through slack lips. “I’ll try, but no guarantees.” She pulls out a suitcase from her closet and curses. “Hey, mind if I borrow your suitcase? One of the wheels broke on mine and I forgot to replace it.”
“Yeah, sure. Go ahead.” I gesture for her to raid my closet.
“Thanks, girl.”
While she gets busy packing, I put the plate in the dishwasher and take the trash out. Tomorrow’s pickup day, and I don’t want to rush in the morning.
On the way out, I run into a new neighbor. I haven’t learned much about her, except that her company sent her here from Vegas at the beginning of the month. A large black duffel bag is slung over a shoulder, and she’s in a dark gray tank top, black sports bra and yoga pants. A thin sheen of sweat still glistens on her flawless skin and clings to her dark hair. She must’ve expended quite a bit of energy in the gym, but her steps are extra light, deep satisfaction etched in every line on her stunning face. Her blue eyes light up when she sees me.
“Taking out the trash?”
“Yeah. How was the workout?”
“Fabulous. You can never get strong enough.” Her eyes drop to the ring on my finger. “Nice. But…an heirloom?”
“What?”
“I saw the video. So you’re engaged to that tall guy. He looks like a fighter.”
I flush. “Uh. Yeah. He’s my boss, actually. And the ring is…a bit complicated.”
“I suppose so.” She smiles, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “Well, regardless, congratulations. One of these days, you should tell me all about it.”
“There isn’t much to tell.”
“Nonsense. When a woman gets engaged in a viral video, there’s plenty of gossip. I’ll even bring over some chocolate chip cookies to bribe you after my business trip. They’re to die for. Everyone says so, including my kids. Even my younger brother.”
“I’d love to try your cookies, but don’t blame me if you’re disappointed by the lack of juicy details.”
She laughs. “Never.”
“If you’re sure.” I grin. Good night, Zoe.”
*
Early the next morning, my apartment complex goes up in flames.
Chapter Eleven
Josh
The moment I step into the elevator in the Huxley & Webber lobby, I run into Dad. It’s early enough that the car’s empty except for us two.
