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CHAPTER32
SUMMER
Having duckedout ofRisquéwhen I’d felt my hip buzz with Jesse’s text, I’d replied and tried Cade’s phone several more times. My brows pucker in a deep frown when I get sent straight to his voicemail repeatedly.
My frustration is further compounded when Jesse’s phone doesn’t even ring. Instead, I just get an incessantbeep beep beepin my ear.
Griffith’s hesitant voice calls out through Vaughn’s office. “Summer—erm, I mean,Jolie—erm, I’m not feeling too hot…”
My gentle giant flushes bright red to the tips of his toes when I turn to him, and a smile parts my lips. “Do you need to call it a night?”
He nods gingerly before his hand reaches up to massage his dewy temples. He looks pasty, a light sheen of perspiration dusting his forehead. “I don’t know what’s come over me all of a sudden…”
“You go on home. Get better soon.” I step closer, ready to help him get where he needs to go, but he holds up an enormous palm. “Don’t come too close. It might be the stomach flu. Or worse. You don’t want Mr Jesse to catch that!”
His thoughtfulness brings a lump to my throat, and I smile in farewell as he nods quietly before leaving me to myself.
I slump into Vaughn’s desk chair, wondering what to do with myself. Checking the time, I register vaguely that there are many hours left before I’ll have Vaughn’s company as a much-needed distraction.
Heaving a sigh, I switch on his huge television. I’m opening the Netflix app when there’s a knock on the door.
Lucia, Vaughn’s HR manager slash PA, pokes her head around the door. “Hey, Summer!”
I offer her a semblance of a smile, sitting forward as she comes closer. “He’s inRaptureif you’re looking for him.”
Lucia shakes her head, chuckling quietly. “I was hoping to find you, actually.”
“Why?”
“Vaughn is leaving early and asked me if I knew where you were. He’s over inRisqué, breaking up a quarrel, but I met Griff on his way out. He told me that you were in here.”
Standing, I grab my bag, drop a peck on Lucia’s cheek, and all but fly out the door, calling my thanks as I jog down the stairs as quickly as my heels will allow.
I slip intoRisquéafter securing my mask to my face via one of the secret staff entryways, sharply turning away fromRavishas I’ve never had access to that part of the building and decide to start my search in the front of the area.
I don’t have to look far. Vaughn is slipping between alcoves when I almost bump right into him.
“Woah, there you are!” He grips my upper arms gently, steadying me. “I’ve decided to call it quits early. You can stay here, or you can—”
“I’m coming with.” The words tumble from my mouth as Vaughn smirks at my rush to leave. “This place is great and all, but my head is all over the place tonight.”
My friend nods as I shoot him an impish grin.
“I thought as much.”
His thoughtfulness warms me. “You know I love you, Vaughn.”
“Oh, I know. You owe me a bunch too.”
My grin softens into a genuine smile when he pulls me in against his chest. “And you know I love you too, Summer.”
I laugh softly as I begin to pull out of his hold, but a voice at my back makes my knees go weak so that all I can do is grip Vaughn’s arms uselessly.
“Get your fucking hands off my girl!”
Vaughn’s body stiffens, and I force myself to move before these men come to blows. I turn to face Caden, whose face is filled with enmity, his body bristling with rage.
“Caden. It’s not what you think. It’s not what the article said—”
