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“If he’s such a loner, won’t he dislike having you guys show up on his doorstep unannounced?”
“Probably, but it’s his birthday, he’s one of us, and I’m not letting him celebrate it alone.”
That was really sweet of him, and Vicki wished she could gatecrash the gatecrash. But having his buddies show up unannounced was one thing, having her in tow like some pesky kid they’d all feel obligated to babysit, was quite another.
“That’s really kind of you, Chance.”
“Ty’s a good guy. And when he unwinds, he’s great to be around. I’m looking forward to it.”
Vicki refocused on her job, while her mind remained firmly fixated on Ty. She had his phone number, of course…she could send him a text to wish him a happy birthday. And she’d get a cake on Monday. That way they could celebrate in the shop as well. Still, part of her really wanted to be there. To see the consternation—then the pleasure—on his face when his friends showed up at his door.
She tried to imagine a rueful smile on that handsome face once he understood that he wouldn’t be able to wriggle out of the celebration, but couldn’t quite envision it. He hadn’t smiled around her enough times for her to picture it. The knowledge saddened her.
Vicki finished the posies an hour ahead of schedule. She and Chance gingerly loaded the four carefully packaged cardboard boxes into the spacious boot of the Maybach. After delivering the posies and overseeing their set up at a posh venue in West Brompton, they were back in the car for the short drive to her apartment complex.
“What time are you guys surprising Ty?” she asked, when they stopped in front of her building. She strove hard to sound nonchalant but wasn’t sure if she’d succeeded.
“I think the guys will show up in about an hour. But since I’m already here, I’ll just drop in now.”
“What do you mean?” She frowned, confused by the odd turn of phrase. “Does he live close by?”
“On the third floor.”
Chance exited the car, completely unaware of the bombshell he’d just dropped, while Vicki sat there with her jaw in her lap. She climbed out of the car in a daze and Chance ushered her inside. Unlike Ty, the Australian’s maneuverings always felt like polite requests rather than actual demands.
“The third floor?” she asked when they were in the elevator. She felt dazed and—as a result—her voice sounded ridiculously timid. “Of this building? Do you mean Ty lives here?”
Chance turned his head to stare at her uncertainly. “Uh… I thought you knew that?”
“How long has Ty been living here? Do you live here too?”
“No.” He sounded wary now, as if he were watching his words more carefully. “I mean a few of our guys do live in this building. Maybe five? Or six? But not me. Ty’s lived here for three years. Brand EPS owns part of the building, and some members of staff live in the company apartments.”
“Are you telling me that I live in a nest of bodyguards? Are you guys watching us twenty-four seven? Making sure the spoiled Hollingsworth siblings don’t get into any kind of shit?”
Oh, God, she was going to kill Miles. He had gifted this place to Hugh and Vicki about five years ago. She had always had reservations about accepting such a generous gift, preferring to make her own way through life without any special favors from her brothers. But in the end, the living arrangement had suited her. Especially since Bloomin’ Paradise had still been new and money was tight. She should have known there were invisible strings attached, and she couldn’t believe it had taken her this long to discover what those strings were. But this was overreaching. Even for Miles.
“As far as I know…” Poor Chance was looking a little hot under the collar now. “None of the officers in this building—aside from Ty—are actively tasked with keeping an eye on you or your brother. They’re not here to spy on you, Vicki. They just live here.”
The elevator had stopped at the fourth floor, and Vicki turned to eye him balefully. “Take me down to the third floor.”
“Uhm…what?”
“You heard me.” She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him.
“Why?”
“I want to ask your friend why he never once mentioned that he lives here. Why was it such a big secret?”
“I don’t think it was. Knowing Ty, it likely never even occurred to him to mention it.”
“Take me to the third floor.”
“Vicki.”
“Fine!” She swiped her keycard and hit the number three button and stared back at Chance with a belligerent thrust of her chin.
Chance sighed and tilted his gaze to the heavens as if seeking guidance. The elevator pinged to a stop moments later, and Vicki was about to step out when Chance shook his head and went ahead of her to do his bodyguard thing. Once he had ascertained that it was safe, he allowed her to step out. She glared at him as she surged into the hallway, feeling outrageously combative even though she wasn’t sure why.
