I fought to catch my breath as he shuttled me into the backseat. My lips were reeling. My head. My chest. I was on fire.
“Nice to meet you, Elliot.” He smiled wickedly and closed the door.
The cab pulled away from the sidewalk and I finally exhaled as I watched Vaughn fade from view.
Chapter Three
The next morning the alarm on my phone buzzed incessantly until I knocked it to the floor.
I ran my fingers over my lips and smiled. It was an epic kiss. The kiss to beat all kisses. Maybe it was the romance of the city lights, or because Vaughn had defended me when we barely knew each other. Maybe it was just because he was hot as hell and anything from his lips was going to be amazing.
I shuffled to the bathroom to start the shower.
It didn’t appear as if Greer had come home last night. I peeked my head into the living room. Preston had been right. Things must have been serious at the capitol and she ended up staying at his place.
We hadn’t come up with a system like we had in college. It wasn’t as if I had anywhere else to go, but maybe we could at least start texting each other if we weren’t going to sleep in the apartment.
I brushed my teeth before stepping into the rush of hot water. I looked at my feet as the water trickled down to the drain. There was no way I could wear a pair of heels today even if I wanted to.
I thought more about last night. I thought about meeting Vaughn. I wanted to talk to Greer. I didn’t know how I would describe him to her. Hot, cocky, mysterious, and … I tried to think of something that would explain the effect he had on me over a drink.
There was an instant attraction I felt. The whole dizzy, reckless, trembling rush was there. I could picture his face. The way he stared into my eyes.
This was crazy. One drink. One kiss. That was it and he was already taking up head space.
I dried off and got dressed for work. I slid my feet into a pair of Keds and tucked my patent ballet flats into my messenger bag. I smiled, feeling as if I had accomplished a small victory before I even left the apartment. I swore to myself today was not going to suck.
I searched the kitchen cabinets for a coffee cylinder and lid. I tested a few to make sure they didn’t leak. After I made a pot of coffee I poured it inside, sealing it tightly.
I already felt better as I descended the stairs to the street. It was a quick walk to the Metro and only one stop to Tenleytown. The jitters from yesterday were gone. The helpless feeling of being lost had evaporated.
I climbed onto the Metro, knowing I should stand close to the door.
As soon as the train slowed I exited and headed for the escalators. The noise didn’t seem quite as deafening in the tunnel. I held my ground and secured a place on the steps. Today I wasn’t going to be knocked to the side.
A few minutes later I was on campus and walking toward the clinic.
I paused in front of the double doors as soon as I heard my phone buzz.
I reached into the messenger bag. My stomach dropped.
“Mom?”
“Elliot, thank God.” I could hear the crack in her voice as if she had been crying.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” I looked for a place to sit as people walked into the building.
“I can’t find Garrett.”
“Can’t find him? What do you mean? It’s early.”
“Have you heard from him?” she asked. “Did he call you this morning?”
I hadn’t spoken to my brother since I arrived in D.C. He was still angry I had left. He had threatened not to speak to me again.
“No. Mom, tell me what’s going on? Why isn’t he at the house?” I pressed.
She sighed. “We had an argument last night about his treatment. It ended when he locked himself in his room. When I knocked on the door this morning he wasn’t there.”