I keep that to myself while I try to process the fact that I’m staring at Dagen Hillstead.
“Mr. Wells isn’t moving in,” Leon drops his two cents into the middle of this reunion. “He’s a friend of Miss Morrow.”
Dagen’s face morphs from a self-assured dick to a surprised bastard. “You know Callie?”
Struggling to keep my tone even, I look him dead in the eye. “I’m in love with her.”
Chapter Fifty-One
Callie
Don’t panic.
I tell myself that for the third time as my gaze drops to the watch on my wrist.
Sean and I agreed to meet for dinner at his place at seven. It’s nearing eight thirty now, and he’s not home. He also hasn’t responded to any of the three texts I’ve sent him in the past few hours.
The first was at six to see if I could bring anything for our dinner.
I followed that up with another one at seven fifteen, asking if he was asleep since I had knocked on his door, and he didn’t answer.
I sent the last one ten minutes ago, telling him I’m worried and hope he’s okay.
I also hope thatweare okay.
My after dinner plans included telling Sean about Dagen. If Dagen knows Kavan, there’s an excellent, almost one hundred percent chance that he knows Sean too.
Part of me is scared that Sean will feel some sort of loyalty to Dagen that will pull him away from me. I know that Dagen felt that with a few of his friends. All of them went to the elite boarding school too.
Feeling as though the walls are closing in on me, I decide to take a walk. I can circle the block a few times and then try Sean again. Maybe, he’ll be home by then. I keep telling myself that he’s dealing with a work catastrophe.
I can’t imagine what that would consist of, but it’s the thin thread I’m clinging to right now, and I don’t want to let it go.
I grab my phone and keys and head out the door.
I’m still wearing the blue lace sundress I put on for dinner. Earlier today, I found it at the vintage store I love. Wearing it with my white blazer will transform it into office attire. It’s too warm for that tonight, so I’ve paired it with flat sandals.
As I check to make sure that my apartment door is locked, I hear a soft noise behind me.
Startled, I turn abruptly.
The door to Mrs. Sweeney’s apartment is opening very slowly. It’s almost as if time has crept to slow motion.
Finally, she peeks her head out. “This is fate.”
I approach her. “What is fate?”
“I was just about to cross the hall to see you.” Her hand pops into view with her index finger raised. “Give me a moment, Calliope.”
I steal a glance at the door to Saint’s apartment. I’m tempted to go and knock on it again, but I know he’s not in there. I can’t imagine Sean intentionally ignoring me.
I hear the sound of Mrs. Sweeney’s sneakers as they hit the wood in the foyer of her apartment. The door swings open, and she’s standing in front of me with a broad smile and a gift-wrapped box in her hands.
“I have something for you, dear.”
Taken aback, my hand jumps to the center of my chest. “For me?”
She shoves the box at me. “Open it, Calliope.”