“I do.” Mr.Darden comes into the foyer. “Do you two know each other?”
Levi’s eyes widen, and I give him a quick shake.
No, I didn’t tell him you were a fake client, nor did I tell him about our past.
“I’ll explain later,” I tell Darden, knowing I won’t go into detail. Darden has enough to worry about when it comes to me being pregnant.
“What are you doing here?” I ask Levi.
He holds out an envelope. “I wanted to give Mr.Darden an invitation to the exhibition next week.”
“Personally?”
He smiles at me. “He did send the email about you to me.”
“And?”
“Your address was on the email, so I knew you lived in the same building.”
Dammit. “Okay.”
He smiles. “I left your invitation at the front desk. They wouldn’t let me come up. I texted Darden yesterday, and he said I could bring his upstairs. The doorman let me up.” He rakes a hand through his blond hair, then gives me a sheepish look. “I admit I hoped I might see you. I didn’t realize you two lived next door to each other.”
Mr.Darden wears a bored expression on his face. Clearly, he’s not good at undercurrents. He murmurs a thank-you to Levi, then places the invitation on a salver on a table in the foyer. He pats my arm. “I’m going to go call a few more friends about that other thing we were discussing. I’ll let you two catch up.” His cane taps on the hardwood as he ambles away.
I turn back to Levi, pushing aside his tenacity in seeing me. “I have a client who’s asked me to look at a few of the artists at the exhibition. Thanks for the invite.”
Satisfaction settles on his face as he leans forward. “It would be pointless if you weren’t there.”
Apprehension tingles over me. “What do you mean?”
A wry smile lifts his lips. “Francesca, my muse, my best art, it’s always been about you.”
Chapter 18
FRANCESCA
Tuck walks in his door at ten. The Chinese has been tossed, and I switched my clothes out for joggers and a flannel shirt of his. He flicks on the light to the den and stops when he sees me on the couch.
He looks beautiful, and even though I’ve gotten used to seeing him day after day, he takes my breath. His suit is navy and sleek, his tie a purple paisley. I could eat him up if I wasn’t pissed.
Cherry barks, jumps out of my lap, and dashes to him. He scoops her up in his arms. “I didn’t think you’d still be here.” His eyes capture mine.
“The only reason I’m still here is because Jasper texted me and said you guys ended up at the Baller with some of the team—”
“It was spur of the moment. I didn’t know they wanted to go out. They hijacked me to stay longer. I’m sorry I missed dinner. I saw your texts, but ...”
Yeah, I sent him several.
Where are you?
Dinner is up.
This wonton is so good.
Tuck?
Hey, I’m worried. Where are you? Are you okay? Call me.