I locked the car and headed for the entrance, the still-warm evening air glossing over my skin. In the foyer, I searched the list of intercom names and found Thaddeus’s next to Penthouse, Apartment 15.
Penthouse?Holy shit.
I pressed the buzzer and waited.
No one answered.
I tried a couple more times, my hope deflating by the second.
Was he watching me through the camera? Had he already decided we were done?
He was wearing your sweatshirt.
As I was giving it one last try, the elevator doors opened behind me, and a woman’s voice came over my shoulder.
“If you’re looking for Mr Grey, he moved out a few days ago.”
I spun to find the woman indicating a real estate sign pinned to the board with a SOLD sticker attached. She studied me with curious eyes. “Word is, he’s heading up to Auckland. I hope it wasn’t important.”
Only if breaking my heart into a million pieces could be considered important. I thanked her and headed back to my car, cursing myself for leaving things too long. For my pig-headed determination to keep my heart safe. For my cowardice.
Auckland, the woman had said, and I wondered if it had anything to do with the sale of his company. Maybe Thaddeus was kicking the dust from his heels and starting afresh. I couldn’t blame him for that. I left the car park and headed home, intent on devising a plan to track Thaddeus down the next day. Delia Cumberland would be a great place to start. That woman sure as hell knew more than she was letting on.
I turned into my driveway an hour later, almost running into the back of a strange car blocking my way. I switched off the engine and stared at the late-model Audi.
Who the hell was paying me a visit at almost one in the morning?
I didn’t know anyone who owned a fucking Audi.
And I was in no mood for conversation.
It occurred to me that it might be some council arsehole come to bust my balls after the meeting, but it was surely toolate, even for them. Still, the idea made my blood boil, and since I was itching for a fight, bring it on.
I threw open my door and stormed toward the Audi. I peered in the driver’s window, ready to take names, but other than a few boxes on the back seat, the car was empty.
“Hey, Ryder.”
I spun at the sound of my name on the lips of the man I loved and had to stop myself from bridging those few remaining metres between us and scooping him into my arms. I had no idea why he’d come here, after all, so instead, I awkwardly folded my arms over my chest and tried not to look like I was about to shit my pants. Maybe he’d only come here to say goodbye.
“Hey, Thaddeus.” I flicked a glance at the Audi. “Nice ride. At least you got this one here in one piece.”
A small smile broke over his lips. “Yeah, practice makes perfect, right?” He cast an eye over the mess the council had left and sighed. “Jesus Christ, Ryder. I can’t believe they did this to you. I’m so sorry.”
“They were going to make their point one way or another,” I assured him. “Delia told me about the campaign and what you did.”
He shrugged. “I guess I really pissed them off if they did this to you.”
“It wasn’t your fault. What you did was amazing.”
His expression relaxed a little, but he still seemed uneasy, and the night fell silent as we both struggled with what to say next. A ruru called from behind the cottage, and Thaddeus glanced in that direction.
“You’ve lost weight,” I observed, wondering what the fuck was wrong with me that I felt the need to point that out. But he looked tired as well. Dog tired.
Thaddeus’s mouth twitched. “Yeah, you too.”
I nodded. “I find I don’t like eating alone anymore.”Come on, Ryder. Get your shit together. You’re better than this.
Thaddeus gave another quick smile, there and gone in an instant, then replied, “Must be catching.”
