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And he’s holding the door open for a beautiful redhead.
She’s older than me, even older than Hunter. Her designer dress and bag make me feel like a twelve-year-old in my Old Navy shift dress from the clearance rack.
I watch as she laughs and places her palm on his chest, then kisses him on the cheek, before lowering into the back of the car. Sunglasses cover his eyes, but it’s clear he’s smiling, too.
My stomach sinks.
Work. That’s what Hunter said he was doing today.
My sudden stop causes Chloe to slam into my back.
“Oh, sorry, Sophie. I didn’t realize you stopped.”
I pull my gaze from the car across the street and focus back on Emma and Chloe.
“Yeah, sorry. I wasn’t sure which way we need to go.”
“No problem. There are a bunch of clothing boutiques on Seventh Avenue. Are you up for more shopping?” Emma asks.
“Then we can get ice cream and maybe I’ll convince you to give Andrew a call.” Chloe winks.
I sneak a glance back across the street, but the car is gone. That’s fine, I tell myself. Hunter Cartwright doesn’t owe me anything, and I owe him just as much.
“What do you want to do, Sophie?” Chloe asks.
I turn back and smile. “Yeah, let’s go.”
* * *
The next morning, I find Hunter exactly where he said he would be at the exact time he said he would be. But, remembering him with the woman from the day before sends a burst of adrenaline into my blood stream. I end up running right past him without a second glance. I don’t bother looking back to see if he noticed me.
It’s only when I hear him calling my name that I know he’s trying to catch up. I shouldn’t even be annoyed with Hunter. I’m mad at myself that what is supposed to be a casual arrangement is already affecting me this way.
“Sophie!” A hand wraps around my elbow. I’d be startled if I hadn’t heard Hunter calling my name the previous times, before I broke into a near sprint down the path.
“Oh, hi.” I feign innocence, removing an ear bud that has absolutely nothing playing in it. I wore them so I could ignore pompous assholes who fuck women and are then seen kissing cheeks and getting into cars with other women. You know the type. Ridiculously handsome with big dicks that make you lose all your senses and agree to have a secret sexual relationship that involves universe-altering sex only to make you question everything an hour later.
“Jesus. Are you doing sprint work?” He places his hands on his knees for a moment to catch his breath.
“Just trying a new pace today.” I bat my lashes. “How’s your knee?”
He lifts, then moves closer and I breathe in the scent of him. Clean and manly. My body reacts immediately. It’s so much easier to act indifferent when he’s not right in front of me.
“I thought we were meeting at Eighty-Eighth and Central Park?” He motions back to the block where he was waiting for me earlier.
“Oh, right. I guess I wasn’t sure if you had found another running buddy since I saw you yesterday.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “What are you talking about?”
“The redhead? I saw her kiss you on the cheek then you got into the car together.” Hunter’s expression is pure confusion, so I clarify. “I was having lunch with Emma and Chloe at Felice 56 and when we came outside, I saw you two together across the street.”
Recognition lights his face and a huge smile pulls at his lips. “My Aunt Maggie?”
“Who?”
He shakes his head. “She’s not technically my aunt, but Maggie’s been a good friend of my mom’s since I can remember. She’s looking to invest in real estate so I showed her a few up-and-coming Premier projects.”
“Oh.”
