I lift my eyebrows, though I don’t know why I’m surprised. Boston’s resident bloodhound can easily sniff out that kind of information.
“Very well. Make the call anyway.”
“Will do. I don’t expect that to stop her, though.”
I sigh. “Neither do I. Thanks, Claire.”
Kay Brown is relentless. She’s a hired gun for the Boston Babbler, our local gossip rag where all the stories use an “unnamed source.” I swear to God, they just make most of the shit up. I normally let it roll off my back. All the stories are forgotten as soon as the next issue rolls out.
But again, I don’t want Skye involved.
Why am I feeling so protective of her? She’s a grown woman, for God’s sake.
The emotion bubbling inside me is becoming more than disorienting.
It’s agitating.
And I don’t like feeling agitated.
My mind is racing. This day is no different from any given day in my world. I have no fewer than twenty projects in the works, no fewer than fifteen calls to return.
Definitely a lot to do.
Instead, I rise.
I know Kay Brown. She’ll be dogging Skye in no time, so I should warn her. That’s all it is. The fact that I’m itching to see Skye doesn’t enter my mind.
But I’ve never been a good liar, especially to myself.
I want to see Skye. She has to eat. I’ll take her to lunch.
“I’ll be out until two or three,” I tell Claire. “I’m heading to the food bank after lunch.”
She nods. “Got it. I put in the call to Kay, but she’s not answering her cell.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t worry. She’ll call back.”
Twenty minutes later, I’m walking into the Ames Hotel, my shoes clacking across the marble lobby, past the elevators, to the offices.
The door to Addison’s office is open, and as I get closer—
Skye’s voice. “Yeah, I eat early. Since Addie’s not in, I need to close up the office. Please excuse me.”
I walk through the door.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Skye, purse in hand, is standing in front of her desk.
Five feet away from her is none other than Kay Brown. Christ.
“Kay,” I say. “I can’t say I’m surprised to see you here, since you’ve already called my office three times today.”
“Mr. Black.” She holds out her hand. “A pleasure as always.”
I take her hand and shake it firmly. “If you’ll excuse us, I need to talk to Skye.”
“Of course. How long have you two been dating?”