“Addison asked me to check and see if you were still here.”
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise she was waiting for him to leave.
“Who’s Addison?”
Mandee leaned past Cross. “The blonde you were talking to about fifteen minutes ago.”
Cross’s muscles tightened, and he angled his head and hardened his stare.
For her part, Ava didn’t look the least bit worried or guilty. She mustered up a mocking smile and shrugged. “Oh,thatblonde? Must’ve slipped my mind.”
Sure it did.
He made his way toward the hallway leading to the bathrooms. As he rounded the corner, he came to a quick stop, staring down the hall. At the end near the bathrooms, Addison was leaning against the wall, her head tilted back, staring up at the ceiling. He half expected to have to wait outside in the hall ’til she came out, but there she was.
He walked toward her, and she must’ve heard him coming because she jerked her head and pushed off the wall. Even from twenty feet away, he saw her glassy, red-rimmed eyes. She immediately turned, giving him her back. Her elbows spread out, and he guessed she was wiping her eyes.
Cross purposely slowed his steps as he got closer. As if she sensed it, she turned, forcing a smile.
“You’re back.” There was no missing the sarcasm laced in her tone.
She blew out a heavy breath. “Something else you need?”
Yeah, there is.He moved to the opposite wall and leaned against it.
“Chili.”
She furrowed her brows. “What?”
“Knox hated chili.”
He disliked most spicy foods. It wasn’t his thing. But chili was on the top of his list.
If she wanted to know Knox, then he’d share.
She blinked, sniffled, and let out a soft chuckle. “I’m not a big fan either. Cleo never mentioned that, so thank you.”
He lowered his chin. “You’re welcome.”
She leaned back against the wall with her hands tucked behind her.
“Favorite thing was the ride. Didn’t care about weather, temperature or the time of the fucking day. Knox was at home on his bike on the open road.”
She bowed her head but he caught her faint smile.
“Want to know more?”
She peeked up and her eyes widened, and she quickly nodded. She was taking the time to find out about a life that wasn’t hers. Cross was definitely seeing her in a different light. Addison wasn’t entitled to know his brother, but she wanted to because she respected and appreciated her connection to him. It was the thing he hadn’t considered when she’d shown up. Yeah, she was a stranger, but Knox was a part of her. And she wanted to get to know that part.
“I vouched for Knox. That’s how he started prospecting in the club.”
“Cleo mentioned that. It’s like sponsoring him, right? You’re responsible if he messes up.”
Someone had done their homework. There was more to it, but Addison seemed to know the basics.
“You find that out on the internet?”
She blushed. “I might’ve done a little research.”
