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Around four o’clock, Royce saved his files and shut down his laptop, calling it a day. Eager to find out how Susan and her mother had spent their first day in Cincinnati,Royce decided to pay them a visit.Susanhadn’t answered his texts. Last night, he’d assumed she’d fallen asleep, but he hadn’t heard from her this morning or during the day. Was she too busy?
A nasty thought nagged at him. Would she regret their wonderful hour together?
Damn it, she’d responded to his kisses with excitement. He hoped she wouldn’t have second thoughts now. He couldn’t wait to see her and put his doubts to rest. But he couldn’t take off without organizing his houseguest for the evening.
A moment later, he called the building manager and requested an extra fob to access the building’s public areas. He met Kasem in the kitchen.
“Here’s a set of keys for the condo. The manager will give you a fob to go into the gym, pool, and entertainment places, in case you want to go swimming this afternoon.”
“Will you come?”
“No, I have a meeting. Do you need me?”
“Not at all.” Kasem chuckled. “I can manage, and if not, I’m sure there are people around ready to help. Don’t worry about me my friend. I hope I’ll have a car soon.”
“You mean Susan’s car.”
He nodded. “Her car, my car. What’s the difference? We’re almost married.”
Don’t be so sure, my friend.
“Listen, if you need anything, call me. Here’s my number. Give me yours, just in case.”
They exchanged phone numbers.
Kasem bowed. “You’re a good friend, man.”
“Huh…” A two-faced friend about to betray him for the sake of a dearer friend. Guilt stabbed Royce in the chest. “When you get hungry, order dinner. They deliver. Here’s their menu sheet. They’ll charge it to my account.”
“Great. Have a good evening and don’t worry about me. I’m a big boy. I’ll learn to survive on my own.”
“Okay, bye.”
As Royce reached the door, his phone blipped announcing a text. Susan’s picture popped on the screen, raising his morale ten degrees.
Hi, my mother asked me to invite you and Kasem to dinner at six. I’m texting him, too. Please bring him.
Damn it. There would be no way to have a private chat with Susan, or even worse, to kiss her again.
“Hey man, wait,” Kasem called. “Susan texted me. Mae Chen is inviting us for dinner.”
None too pleased, Royce nodded. “It’s too early now. I’ll work for another hour.”
“Meanwhile, I’ll get the fob from the manager and go to the pool. See you in about an hour.”
Cursing under his breath, Royce returned to his office and switched on his laptop. Why was Susan inviting Kasem, too? Only last night, she’d been begging him to help her get rid of the unwelcome fiancé. What had changed her mind?
For the next thirty minutes, he tried to concentrate on his work. Giving up, he pushed his chair back, glanced out the window at the pool, and released an expletive at the sight of Kasem surrounded by three women.
For someone determined to get married in a month, the man didn’t waste time collecting as many conquests as he could in his last month of bachelorhood. Susan might be delighted to hear this tidbit of news. Despite his annoyance at having to cope with the man’s presence at tonight’s dinner, Royce hoped Susan would manage to grant him a few private minutes. A kiss from her would erase the day’s frustration.
