But when I turned, she was gone.
Damn.
The lights dimmed, and for a brief second, I thought it was just in my fucked-up head. But a rumbling ofohhsandahhsbroke out as a massive cake was rolled through the crowded room.
The flickering candles made me think of the pretty siren.
The smell of the sickly-sweet frosting made my stomach churn.
Cancel thedamn.
Upgrade to afuck.
I forced a smile and laughed and joked my way through the loud rendition of a birthday song before blowing out the sparkler candles. Two servers began cutting while another two prepared to hand out slices.
The first went to me, and if I hadn’t already fired Alex, the cake would’ve been his undoing. Cohen had handled the food and location since it was his bar. The cake was Alex’s one job for the evening.
Fucking chocolate.
I scowled down at it.
Tony nudged my shoulder. “Did it insult your mother?”
“Wouldn’t have cared if it did,” I said before I could catch myself. I glanced around, but luckily, it didn’t seem like I had anyone else’s attention. I didn’t bother tasting the cake or pasting back on my smile. I passed the plate to Tony with a muttered excuse and beelined for Cohen and Easton.
For them, I mustered up a pleasant expression. Or as much of one as I could force.
It wasn’t enough.
Cohen took one look at me and set down his glass. “Can you make it up to Atlas’s?”
I lifted my chin.
He and Easton both stood, but I waved them off. “I’m fine. Stay. Relax. Keep everyone distracted.”
They did as I said, but they didn’t look happy about it.
I fucking hated their concern.
Poor little rich punk.
I started toward the locked door that I’d gone through to get to the roof before tempting fate by backtracking. “Please save a piece of cake for me to give to Greer tomorrow.”
“That’s not necessary,” Maddie said. “Greer isn’t big on dessert.”
“It’s an inside joke.”
Her brows lowered, and she opened her mouth like she was going to question it but slowly nodded instead.
With that settled, I walked upstairs and used the code to let myself into Atlas’s apartment that took up the entire third floor. I barely made it to the bathroom before the room shifted so violently, I thought it was an earthquake.
And then I passed the fuck out with my face pressed to the cool tile floor.
CHAPTER THREE
WE HEAR CHANGE IS IN THE AIR FOR THE NEPO BABY…
GREER
