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I drift off only after I’m sure Eden’s fallen asleep first.
* * *
My eighteen-hour day on set feels doubly long. I can’t stop thinking about the break-in, about Eden. She texts me every couple of hours or so. It’s almost ridiculous how quickly I stop what I’m doing to check my phone.
Dad’s been released. I’m taking him to his place.
Good. Did he accept the rehab brochures?
I take her lack of response as an unspoken no.
There’s a knock on my door. It’s stupid how badly I startle, swiftly looking up in alarm like a lion trapped in a cage.
It’s Renee.
“Sorry,” she says demurely, allowing herself into my space. “I saw your light on. What are you still doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“I always work late. Numbers aren’t going to crunch themselves.”
“I appreciate your diligence.”
She flips a lock of her hair over her shoulder. “Of course, Mr. Stride.” She lingers there for longer than necessary. She flips her hair again and gives me an expectant smile.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Do you notice anything different about me?”
I give her a disinterested once over. I’m too tired to play her game. “No,” I state flatly.
“My hair, silly.”
Upon further inspection, I realize that Renee’s red hair is now a dark brown. That’s not what catches me off guard, however. The most alarming thing about her is her choice of clothes.
Her skirt is just like the kind that Eden wears around the office. Sensible shoes, a plain white blouse. I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Weirded out, mostly.
“What do you think?” she asks me, batting her thickly coated lashes.
“I think…” I say as I rise out of my seat, “that you should head home, Ms. Thatch.”
A flicker of disappointment flashes across her features, but it’s so quick that I wonder if I imagined it. “Are you staying late? I could keep you company if—”
“That won’t be necessary. Good night.”
Her jaw tenses, but she says nothing more. Renee nods and turns, disappearing as quickly as she came.
The whole encounter leaves me feeling chilly.
What the fuck was that about?
Chapter 29
Tip #29: Dress for the job you want.
HUNTER
