I laughed at the idea of Malcolm and Axel in the same space. Those two would destroy my apartment. “Okay, we’ll talk about it.”
After a brief meeting with the loan officer, I wandered around the blocks surrounding the bank, sweating my ass off while trying to clear my head before I went back to the office and faced Ashley.
Without realizing it, I ended up in front of Moretti Properties. I stood in the scorching July sun, staring at my reflection in the streak-free windows. Something in my gut told me to go inside. Before I thought through what I was doing, I pushed through the big glass doors and headed to the elevators.
TWENTY-ONE
Enteringreceptionon Luca’s floor, I looked for his EA Lauren, but at her desk was a young brunette. Her big blue eyes jumped up to greet me. “Oh, hello! Can I help you?”
Her perfect,naturalsmile did little to calm the storm raging in my stomach.
“Ah, I need to see Mr. Moretti.”
Nodding, she glanced at her computer screen. “Name?”
I tugged at the strap of my bag. “Sasha Mitchell.”
When she didn’t say anything, I added, “I’m sorry, but what happened to Lauren?”
Not-Lauren’s face lit up,and she looked back over at me. “Oh! Her daughter just gave birth, so she’s out for a few weeks. They pulled me from downstairs to cover during her leave. I’m Tasha.”
Sasha, meet Tasha.
“Oh,wow, that’s great! She’ll be a great grandma.”
“Right? Lauren’s the best.” Her eyes fell back to her monitor. “Okay, let me see. Hmm. I don’t see you on his calendar. Is this possibly a personal visit?”
“Yes.”
Tasha twisted her lips and glanced behind her at Luca’s office door. “He’s wrapping up with legal.” Her baby blues swung back to me,and she leaned forward with a conspiratorial smile. “But he has fifteen minutes before his next meeting. Let me poke my head in there and see what we can do.”
A little wink and she was off.
Tapping my foot, I smoothed the front of my skirt. Another second and I would dash back to the elevator.
Tasha came back, her face a little less cheery. Nicki, Gabe, and a young man I didn’t recognize followed her from Luca’s office. Nicki looked at me with a bit of confusion, but at least she didn’t scowl at me like her father.
Fucking Gabe.
“Okay,Ms. Mitchell. It looks like you can go right in.” Under her breath,she muttered, “And I get to move the Perkins meeting. Again.” Her eyes scanned the screen,and a tiny frown marred her smooth face.
“Thank you, Tasha. I appreciate all your help.”
She gave me a slight nod and smile, gesturing for me to go ahead.
I made a mental note to send Tasha flowers or something. I knewprecisely how annoying Luca’s scheduling could be. Meetings sometimes moved four or more times.
Pausing at the door, I took a deep breath. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to get out of his little meeting, but something told me I needed to see him.
I reached for the knob, and the door opened. There stood Luca in all his businessman glory. Even on the hottest day of the year, the man could wear the shit out of a suit. Despite his perfectly pressed clothes and styled hair, he looked worn out. Dark circles and bloodshot eyes marred his usual perfection. His skin didn’t have the otherworldly glow I had become accustomed to.
Was he not getting enough sleep? What about water? Was he getting his recommended eight glasses a day?
Worry needled into my chest, but I pushed it away. I wasn’t here to check on him.
We stood staring at each other awkwardly, neither one of us moving. The chirp of Tasha answering the phone shook Luca from our standoff,and he gestured for me to enter.
As I walked to the middle of the room, I heard the door lock and the blinds close. Panic seeped into my gut,and I started to get a little nauseous. I wasn’t sure I could do this.Whatever this was.