The elevator crawls to the seventh floor. The minute the doors open, I shoot out and down the hall. I press the door bell, yell, “room service,” and wait.
20
Orchard
Abigail lifts one of her perfect eyebrows at me as she hides a smirk behind her tea cup. She tries to take a sip but her smile is too wide to allow her to.
“He found me,” I hiss.
“Is this really surprising?” She sets her cup down before she stands, grabbing her purse from next to her and slipping it onto her shoulder.
“That it took this long? Yes it is.” I fold my arms over my chest. It has seemed like an eternity since I left the house. I look down at my watch. He’s probably here because he wants to make sure I don’t miss his mandatory dinner.
Not because he missed me or couldn’t stop thinking about me after the night we’d had together. He never should have left to begin with. Didn’t last night mean anything to him? So many times I wanted to tell him that I loved him, but I wouldn’t let myself. Scared he look at me like I was crazy.
“You’re pouting,” she points out.
“I’m not sure I should have gone into business with you now.” I huff, knowing I am definitely pouting, but she doesn’t have to point it out.
“Too late. We already got it from Grandma Firenze. It looks like it happened within the nick of time too. I wonder who the other buyer was.” Abigail stands, putting her phone into her purse. “The place wasn’t even for sale but all these people were trying to buy it.” She shakes her head. I don’t understand it either. All of it is weird, but Grandma Firenze liked the idea of two women wanting to buy the store.
“Who knows?” We both look at the door as Heath bangs on it, knowing we aren’t buying the whole room service thing. I’ve lived with that man for five years. I’d recognize his voice anywhere.
“He’s either going to kick the door down or buy the hotel and burn it down. Either way he’s getting to you. Trust me. I know what a man will do when he’s in love.” She smiles, making my heart ache.
“He’s not in love. He’s angry that I’m not where I’m supposed to be.” Abigail snorts a laugh.
“Sure. That’s it.”
“Orchard.” Heath bangs on the door harder. I’m surprised it doesn’t bust open. God, he’s strong. My annoyance begins to grow because that should not be turning me on. I am mad. I am not turned on, I tell myself. Not only was he gone this morning but then it took him so long to find me.
“Get it over with.” Abigail looks down at her watch. “I’ll run and meet Grandma Firenze while you deal with your husband.” I glare at her for calling him my husband. “Baby daddy? Is that better?” She looks so pleased with herself for her little joke. She’s lucky I love her so much.
“Maybe you should leave.” I stand.
“You’re still pouting.” She keeps on smiling at me, finding this all so amusing. At least someone does.
“Go get our grocery store.” We got it for a steal. We’d made an offer lower than everyone else’s but Grandma Firenze still picked us. Abigail gives me a hug.
“Go easy on him. Men do stupid things.”
“I wish it was that easy.” Things could be so different if he didn’t see me as just an object or one of his many possessions.
“It would be if you would just open your eyes.” She steps back. “I have to open the door to get out.”
“I know.” I sigh. It was time for me to face this either way. Running today was a bratty, childish move but I’d felt like throwing a fit. For so long I’d sat back and settled for the life I had but now I can’t do that anymore. I need so much more than that. I want so much more than that from Heath and with him. But if he’s not willing to give it to me then I don’t know what I’ll do. I could very likely be pregnant.
“I’m kicking it in so I’d advise you to step back if you’re near,” Heath bellows through the door.
“I’m opening it!” Abigail shouts back, rushing over to the door and pulling it open. “Heath.” Her voice is chipper. I can’t see her face, but I know she is likely smiling at him, enjoying all of this drama. “It’s lovely to see you again.”
“Abigail.” He gives her a nod but he doesn’t look at her. His eyes are trained on me. My body betrays me as it heats up. I feel myself growing wet from the flood of memories that come rushing back to me from last night.
“Later.” Abigail steps out of the room. Heath lets the door fall closed behind her. He stands there, staring at me. He looks disheveled. His short hair is a mess while his buttoned-up shirt is wrinkled. Even his eyes look tired.