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God, I’d forgotten how wonderful it feels to just get in a car and drive without a destination in mind. Just me and the open road and a tankful of gas. I don’t even remember the last time I was able to do this. Club Syn keeps me fucking busy and now that the banquet room’s being booked for parties, I’ll have less time than I ever did before. I’m not complaining by any means because this is why I’ve been working hard my whole life. Business has always been in my blood and I want to succeed while I’m young. Then I won’t have to struggle when I’m older and ready for retirement. Who the hell wants to work fifty years or better because they can’t afford to retire at a decent age? You’re either too poor to enjoy it or you have one foot in the grave.
I’m unaware of my surroundings until I come up on a familiar landmark. The University District is just over the horizon and if I take the next exit I’d be five minutes away from Brighton Condominiums, which is where Lili lives. Did my subconscious lead me here all along or was it just a coincidence? If I only knew what condo she lived in, I could have turned the tables and surprised her. A wicked thought niggles in the back of my mind and I must push it down before it consumes me. I have a sudden urge to pull over and call Mike so I can get her condo number.
Hmm, I wonder if he’d give it to me.
The exit ramp is fast approaching, and I impulsively take it without blinking an eye. I pull into the nearest gas station to give Mike a quick call to see if he’ll cough it up. While his phone rings, I chastise myself for not getting her fucking number in the first place.
“Hey boss, how’s the day off going?” I can hear the fucking smirk in his voice and for some reason it ticks me off.
“Mike, I need you to do me a really big favor.” I pluck out a cig and light it up to calm my fucking nerves.
“Anything, boss. You know that.”
“I’m so glad you said that because I need the number of Lili’s condo.” Dead silence. He’s so quiet that I can’t even hear him breathing. Which leads me to believe he’s holding his breath. “Mike, I went for a drive and ended up near the U District. I’d like to take her to dinner. You know under normal circumstances I’d never put you in this kind of predicament, but I forgot to get her phone number and I’ve no way of getting in touch with her.”
Mike blows out a long breath and says, “Boss, normally I wouldn’t hesitate, but I’m not sure if she wants me to give it to anyone. She’s a very private person.”
Really? How the hell would he know this unless he was stalking her on social media? Yeah, I admit, I’m guilty as charged. I take the last drag of my cigarette and flick it into the road. Closing my eyes, I slowly exhale until my lungs are empty. Just like my fucking heart. “No worries, Mike. It was just a passing impulse.”
“It’s apartment 4C. Have a good day.” The line goes dead and my eyes pop wide open. I just might have fucked up the only friendship that meant anything to me. Fuck, I’m such an idiot! Mike’s by the book and I just had him choose between me and his idol. I’m such a selfish prick.
With tires squealing, I pull out of the parking lot and head for my destination. As guilty as I feel for putting Mike in this position, I’m still hell bent on paying her a visit. The way I look at it, it could go one of two ways. Either she slams the door in my face or she lets down her guard and invites me in.
My day off just got a whole lot more interesting.
Lucky for me there’s a big billboard that boasts the amenities of Brighton Condominiums. Only one mile on the right.
Traffic is at a standstill since its rush hour and everyone’s getting out of school. What if I go through all this trouble and she’s not even home? I’d be totally fucked, and all of this would be for nothing. Mike would have the last laugh for sure.
I take my first right and pull into the complex. The place is huge, and I have no idea where I’m going. So, I follow the cars in front of me and I’m grateful when I see signs that clearly state the condo numbers. Now, all I need to do is find 4C and the rest will be up to Lili.
I’m not sure if there’s a specific parking lot for visitors, so I just pull up to an empty spot near her condo. I reach in the glove box, open the gum canister and pop a piece in my mouth. The spicy cinnamon flavor hits my tongue as I chew the little cube. Now, for the moment of truth.
I step out of the car, run my fingers through my hair and lock my door. In only a few short strides I’m at the door and minutes away from feeling the euphoria that only Lili can bring. Until I realize the doors are locked and she needs to buzz me in. I’m so totally fucked right now.
LILIANNA
Writing has been my saving grace today since I had that crazy dream last night. Why was Ryder sitting in Zane’s chair at the club? What did that really imply? God, I wish I knew someone who could interrupt dreams because this one was a total mind fuck. I woke up drenched in sweat and panting like a drugged-out whore. I hadn’t been able to fall back to sleep and now it’s only dinnertime and I’m ready for bed. I think it’s best if I just grab something light to eat in case I nod off while doing my edits.
To say I’m disappointed when I look in the fridge would be an understatement. I should have gone grocery shopping days ago, but I was too busy writing that I lost all concept of time. Well, now I need to go tomorrow or else I’ll starve.
I’m about to grab some eggs and cheese to make an omelet when my doorbell rings. Hmm, I wasn’t expecting company, and I certainly didn’t buzz anyone in. I check my phone just in case I missed a text.
Nothing.
Geez Louise, it rings again before I even have a chance to answer it. “I’m coming.” It could be one of my neighbors dropping off my mail that they received by accident. It’s been happening a lot lately. I’ll make a note to talk to the Super.
Imagine my surprise when I open the door and none other than Zane ‘Call-Me-Z’ Sinclair is staring back at me. It’s necessary for me to hold on tightly to the door to keep myself upright. His hair is a tousled mess and he smells like an ashtray, but he’s still sexy as sin. Zane’s jeans fit him like a glove and his formfitting gray Henley stretches over his rock-hard abs. Every time I’ve seen him, he’s been wearing a suit. I must admit, I like this casual, laid-back look, too. It’s friggin’ hot.
The air crackles with electricity and I’m afraid if I invite him in, I’ll give this man whatever he wants. I need to stop whatever this is before it goes too far. “What are you doing here, Zane?” I really want to ask how he knew where I lived but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out. Mike sold me out, but then again he’s loyal to his boss. Mike doesn’t owe me a damn thing.
“Why didn’t you wait in my office like I told you to?”
What? Is he fucking kidding me? Despite myself, there’s something about that deep, gravelly timbre that makes my knees weak.
“I think you already know the answer to that one. You just can’t accept the fact that I turned you down.” Undoubtedly, he’s agitated when his brows pinch together and he folds his arms across his chest.
“I thought we were having a nice lunch and didn’t expect it to end so abruptly. Apparently, you interpreted something different, so please enlighten me.” I’m taken aback when he pushes past and enters my apartment. Why didn’t I look through the peephole before opening the door?
