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“Always, love.” He hugs me as the elevator doors open. “Have fun with your bridesmaids.”
I give an exasperated laugh. “Sure, fun. Irelynn will be like a fluttering, stressed mother hen. Savannah will be indecisive as hell because she seldom wears anything formal. And Vanessa will probably be down in the dumps from whatever in the hell is going on with her and Darin.” I shake my head. “I may have to call Darin to hang out with me afterward and gorge ourselves on Emma’s brownies.”
Will chuckles. “Darin will never say no to hanging with you and eating brownies.” Kissing my cheek, he squeezes my hand. “I’ll be home around 4:00. Call or text if you need anything.”
Nodding, I reluctantly release his hand, stepping onto the elevator. “I love you. See you later.”
“Love you, goddess. See you in a few hours.”
As the elevator doors shut, I press the button for the lobby, leaning against the wall. I don’t know why, but there’s a sense of uneasiness in my gut.
As the doors open and I step into the lobby, I take a deep breath and release it, admonishing myself for being silly.
I’m sure it’s stress making my belly curl with uneasiness. As much as I love those three women, I dread shopping for bridesmaid dresses with them. I suspect it will be worse than stepping into the ring with The Beast.
With a purposeful stride, I exit Will’s office building, the cold December air flowing into my lungs. Tightening my jacket around me, I stuff my hands into my pockets.
The wedding is slightly over three weeks away.
I must keep them on task and ensure we get their dresses today.
seventeen
William
AsIshovemyhands in my pockets and head down the hallway toward my office, a huge smile is on my face. I’m so proud of Everleigh for finally telling me what has been preoccupying her thoughts lately.
I chuckle. She was surprised I’d noticed. Of course, I did. I noticeeverythingabout that woman.
I’m thrilled she wants to return to college and pursue her dreams. Exhaling a breath, a lightness fills my body. She’s finally moving on from the trauma of Ainsley terrorizing her, destroying all her dreams.
Now, we have nothing but happiness and the fulfillment of our goals and dreams to look forward to.
Loud voices pull me from my reverie.
“Who the hell are you, and how did you get in here?” Bryan’s loud voice is stern, laced with anger. Hurrying toward the sound, I find him a few feet from his office doors, arguing with a man wearing shoddy clothing, looking as though he’s homeless.
“Sorry, man. I was just cold and looking for some warmth. I didn’t mean to disturb anyone.” He slowly spins around, his gray eyes locking with mine.
“I’m sorry, but this is a private office building. I’ll have you escorted out—” Before I can utter another word, the man shoves past me, running toward the stairway. I watch him, baffled and uneasy, then turn to Bryan, who has moved beside me.
“That was weird. I looked out my office door and saw him peering around. Something about him made me uneasy.” Bryan’s brows are furrowed as he stares at the stairway door as it slams shut behind the odd homeless-looking man.
“Agreed. That was fucking weird.” Uneasiness makes my scalp prickle and there’s an unshakeable sense of something being wrong.
“He seems… off.” He looks at me, his face is full of concern. “I’ll check the cameras around the building.”
Bryan’s phone rings, interrupting us. He pulls it from his pants pocket, looking at the screen. “It’s Melinda.”
I nod for him to answer it. Melinda is my secretary and efficient as hell. She used to work for Gregory, the man I spent years believing was my biological father, until I offered her more money and much better working conditions.
“The team is in the conference room. Should I stall them?” Her voice has an edge of panic to it.
Bryan swears as he looks at the time on his phone. “We’ll be right there.” He hangs up. “Grab the elevator. I just need my laptop and I’ll join you.”
I nod, spinning on my heel and striding toward it, my mind whirling. I need to refocus my attention on the company I’ve just taken over, but there’s a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach about that homeless-looking guy who ran out of here.
Holding the elevator, Bryan runs down the hallway, his laptop under his arm. As we step inside, he says, “I have some reports pulled up. It’s the information I’ve shown you earlier. Nothing new, which is good.”
