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My eyes cast down at my jeans, white Vans, and plain cream-colored shirt. “I should change.”
“Absolutely not.” She grabs my hand but doesn’t tug too hard. “You’re perfect as you are. Come on. I smelled fries earlier, and my mouth hasn’t stopped watering since.”
I move to follow her, but she stops abruptly, turning back around. “Oh. I have your new phone. Jaxon was in the room when I got there.”
She hands me the already-charged device and I quickly open it, thankful I have nearly everything backed up on a cloud. All I have to do is log in and wait for the phone to sync.
Once I’ve done what I can, Justine and I head for the elevator. I manage to only check the phone’s progress twice on the way down, eager to contact Sandi.
We step into the hallway on the first floor, and I glance around. Tarps are up, blocking off certain areas where I assume they’re doing repairs, but the way to the kitchen is clear. As we get nearer, I start to smell the food and my stomach grumbles until it begins to ache.
I guess I shouldn’t have slept through breakfast.
“Oh, French Dip.” Justine moans. “My favorite.”
As good as everything smells and hungry as I am, my phone finally loads all of my contacts and I immediately find a seat at the counter as I scroll to Sandi’s number, then realize I don’t even know what day of the week it is. I back out of the address book and check the calendar. It’s Saturday. She’s not going to be at work, so hopefully she answers.
I click on her name and press her phone number. My teeth scrape against my lower lip, and the tip of my foot taps on the ground as I wait for her answer.
Just when I think she’s not going to, I finally hear, “Hey, Stranger.”
“Hey, yourself,” I say, trying to act calmer than I feel. “What are you up to?”
“Oh, just wondering where you’re at and how worried I should be that you basically disappeared off the face of the Earth after that auction.”
There’s something off about her tone, and my chest begins to tighten.
“Listen, Sandi,” I plead. “I can’t tell you much. I just need you to know that I’m safe and if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, scream and run in the opposite direction.”
She hums, and I wish I could see her face right now. “And why should I do that?”
“Because…I just need you to trust me,” I implore. “There’s been some stuff going on, and I don’t know how far the consequences will reach. I just need to know that you’ll be careful and stay safe.”
“So, this handsome man standing in front of me, dressed in a suit and smelling like a million bucks, I should run and scream from him?”
As the words leave her mouth, I swear I’m seconds from passing out. “Sandi, I’m so sorry. Just run from wherever you are.”
My heart is pounding, and my eyes burn with unshed tears. What the fuck have I done?
“Raven, she’s perfectly safe.”
The sound of Luca’s voice has my head snapping up, but he’s not here in this house. No, the words echoed from Sandi’s side of the call.
“Luca is with you?” I ask, shocked to my core. He continues to surprise me with everything he does. Especially when I’m sure he never would have mentioned that he took it upon himself to check on my friend just like he hadn’t when he paid all of my bills.
Sandi falls silent for a beat. “At least that’s what he said his name is. I take it he’s the reason you’ve been MIA?”
I still can’t breathe right, but at least my panic is settling. “Sort of. I don’t know what he’s told you—”
“Pretty much the same thing you just did,” she cuts in. “Which makes his story more believable. Though, I don’t like that you’re in danger because I roped you into that auction.”
I want to laugh and cry at that. “Honestly, I think it would have found me one way or another. Just know that Luca is making sure I’m okay.”
“Uh huh. I bet he is.” She chuckles, and that finally has a smile gracing my face as I rest my forearms on the counter. “I expect dinner and drinks when whatever this has passed. And don’t let this one go. He’s hot.”
“And you’re married, so quit ogling.” I shake my head as I say the words, but I’m also thankful that she isn’t making this into a big deal. While it is one, not having to over-explain or lie is appreciated more than she may ever know.
“My vows didn’t include not being able to appreciate other men,” she retorts, and I can hear the grin on her face. “I just can’t touch and I’m okay with that. You can keep him all to yourself.”
