You think I can drop everything right now?
I know you will.
I blushed. The words shot a thrill through my body. How did he do that? I didn’t have to time to shoot back something biting and sexy. Knight was waiting, and I had to change out of this dress quickly. I kept a couple of spare suits in the adjoining walk-in closet to my office. I chose a pale blue two-piece skirt with a short skirt. I discarded the dress stained with blood in the hamper. I closed the door behind me.
I held the key in my hand would let me into Knight’s destination. I tugged my bag over my shoulder and strolled out of the office.
“Ms. Martin, should I tell Kimble you’re headed out?”
I paused in front of the young assistant’s desk. She had a notepad and pen in her hand.
“No, don’t do that. I’ll be back later this afternoon. Besides, he’s going to be out of town for a few days.” Kimble was probably already interrogating someone about Knight’s past. I’d rather leave him behind than have him tag along on the scavenger hunt. “He knows how to get in touch with me.” I walked briskly past the girl. I spun on my stilettos. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember your name.” I glanced at her. She wasn’t that much younger than me. All my new hires were business school graduates. She had to be at least twenty-two and twice today I had treated her like a fourteen-year old babysitter.
“It’s Val.” She grinned.
“Val? Hmm.” I used to do a better job of remembering the names of everyone on the staff. I had let other things distract me lately. “Thank you, Val. When did you start here?”
“Two months ago, Ms. Martin.”
I pressed my lips together. “Maybe we could have coffee sometime. You can tell me what your goals are with the company.”
“Really?” Her eyes widened to the size of saucers.
“Yes. I think it would be a good idea. Let’s try to schedule that tomorrow.”
She paused as if she was about to curtsy before she was interrupted by the phone. I’d let my mentoring commitments slide. I’d let a lot of things slide since we broke ground on the Crescent Towers.
I tapped the button on the elevator door when Crew hurried toward me.
“You’re leaving?” He looked confused.
“Yes.” I was irritated my whereabouts were suddenly everyone’s concern.
“I’ll ride down with you,” he announced, hopping in the elevator with me. I was jostled to the side.
“What is it?” I still clutched the key in my fist. I didn’t want to let it go.
“I was wondering if we could talk about something personal.”
I was surprised.
“Is it about you and Seraphina?” I kept my voice quiet even though we were alone.
The elevator deposited us in the parking garage.
“Yes.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Why don’t I drive you? We could talk in the car on the way?”
I hesitated. “All right.” I didn’t know how long the impromptu meeting with Knight was going to last. Talking at the office about his affair with Seraphina could be problematic. “Let me text you the address. We’ll take your car.”
We climbed into Crew’s car and he synced the address with his car’s navigation system.
“Where are we going?” he asked. He turned the air conditioning up high.
I shrugged. “It’s an address from Knight. A surprise,” I admitted.
“I see.” He pulled out of the parking garage and onto the city street.
“Okay. Tell me.” I stared at him through my designer sunglasses.