When I swing the door open, I’m stunned to see the person on the other side, hand raised to knock again. Not Milo.
No, this is a distinguished man with salt-and-pepper hair, a magnetic smile, and a custom-tailored suit. I know that because I once knew the inside of his closet better than my own.
“Tucker. What are you doing here?”
The smile on his face is the same one that used to make my heart beat faster. Right now? I’m full of dread. My already slim chance of catching Milo before he’s gone is getting slimmer by the second.
Tucker cranes his neck and glances around, taking in the view from the door of my tiny apartment.
His second home on the island was over ten thousand square feet, so I can only imagine what he’s seeing in my tiny, sparsely furnished, one-bedroom place.
Tucker’s smile is exactly like I remember. “I hoped we could talk. You left so suddenly. I’ve been looking for you for months.” His brow furrows. “I’ve been so worried.”
“I’m fine.” I look to either side of him. Can I squeeze past without him thinking I’m going in for a hug or something? “Look, you’re right that it would be good to talk but, uh, I kind of was on my way somewhere. Can it wait?”
“I’m afraid it can’t. I’m flying out later today.” He winces, looking pained. Except I know that’s a thing he does. He did it all the time when he was about to deny me something, acting as if it hurt him so terribly to have to leave when I wanted him to stay. He only did it so I wouldn’t complain.
“Then maybe it’s better if you call me. I really have to go.”
I move to push past, but Tucker’s arm comes up to grip the doorframe. I’m not a teenager anymore. Even though he always took good care of himself, I’m definitely stronger than him now.
“I’m only asking for a few minutes. Can I please come in?” Even as he asks he’s already inviting himself inside.
I try to stifle a sigh. Shoving past the man I spent four years with to get to the man who fucked me into a coma early this morning seems a little wrong. And he’s right—I left without saying goodbye. I guess I owe him that much?
“A few minutes. Fine.” I glance past him to the stairs one last time, but there’s nobody there. Only a sideways tricycle on the landing that belongs to the two little girls next door.
My heart sinks as I close the door. When I scoop up Iggy to return him to his tank, Tucker makes a face.
“Still have that ugly thing, I see.”
Iggy drapes himself across my arm, blinking so cutely I don’t know how anybody could call him ugly. “You gave him to me.”
“Absolutely not.” Tucker shakes his head. “Jonas gave it to you and said he was from me. You know I don’t like animals.”
Wait. “Iggy’s a gift from your assistant?”
A familiar dramatic sigh gusts out of him. “He said you’d complained of being lonely, and he thought a pet was a good idea. As my allergies prohibit anything with fur, he decided on that thing.”
“Iggy’s not a thing. He’s my best friend.”
“Of course, sweet boy. I’m sorry.” Tucker’s patient look isn’t as endearing as it used to be. In fact, there’s anger simmering in my bloodstream that’s never been there before. How dare he barge into my place and insult me? And Iggy. Milo put in the effort to find Iggy the exact food he needed even though the fly larvae grossed him out, and Milo gently stroked Iggy’s head as if he actually cared about saying goodbye to him.
Milo would never call Iggy a thing. In fact, when Jalen said—
Oh. Wait. Jalen and Milo are old friends. He’ll know how to reach him.
Hope buoys my heavy heart. Maybe I can get Milo’s number from Jalen. At least ask him to pass on a message. He’d do it, I think.
Quickly, I pull my phone out to text Jalen.
Rowan: Can you please call me? I need to talk to you.
After a moment of deliberation I addIt’s important.
Ridiculous or not, I need to at least tell Milo how I feel. If he rejects me after that, I can legitimately say I tried. With Tucker I never tried, I just went along.
Tucker clears his throat, his raised eyebrows telling me he doesn’t appreciate me being on my phone in the middle of our conversation. Not that I asked him to be here, but old habits and everything. I mumble an apology and shove the phone into my pocket.
