With enough distance between me and the people around me, I was mindful of the cameras as I slid my phone out and quickly checked the app.
Phew.
I gave no external indication, but my inner shoulders loosened like they’d had a day at the spa when I saw the tracker was right in the parking lot where it should be. I hurriedly tucked my phone into my back pocket without missing a step.
Steps that sped up when I saw what was waiting.
Not the pretty blonde.
The shimmery box.
Dare I hope against hope?
CHAPTER TWENTY
NOW WE’VE GOT BY PROXY BEEF
RHYS
“I’m gonna replace the panelwith an upgraded model,” Glitch said, explaining some of the feature differences between the two.
It was important info, yeah, but I knew that wasn’t why he was sharing it. Our extended silence would’ve made it pretty damn obvious we were waiting till Lo was out of earshot. She was good. She would’ve clocked that within seconds.
Jury was closest to the door and inched over before peeking into the hall. He stayed like that for a few beats before confirming, “She was doing something on her phone, but she’s gone.”
What was she doing? What was so important?
That question expanded to include wondering again what she’d been doing the day before in my office. There’d been a fuck-ton of typing, scowling,andsmiling.
The thought pissed me off more than it should, and I took it out on Jury.
He had it coming.
For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, I punched him in the shoulder. “A date, you dickhead?”
“That’s a weird way to ask me out, but sure. I’m down.”
I punched him again. “Why the fuck would you say I had a date last night?”
He shrugged, then instantly winced. “You said you were busy. Rye’s closed. That left date.”
That made sense, but I didn’t buy his bullshit.
This motherfucker said it on purpose.
I jerked my chin toward the doorway. “You wanna make a play for Lo, have at it. But do itaftershe’s out of my fuckin’ bar.”
“That wasn’t what I was doing,” he said. “But fair enough.”
I wanted to punch him again. Harder that time and right in his pretty boy face.
I choked on itandthe acid that burned in my damn gut.
He was a prick, but he gave me a good idea. I hadn’t gotten laid in too damn long. Not saying that my attraction to Lo was just because I was desperate or some shit. It was there because of her. But ending the dry spell could at least offer a distraction so I wasn’t sitting around, obsessing over her with my dick in my hand.
A date is exactly what I need.
I meant it, but even in my own head, the words sounded sarcastic.
