I study the picture again, my heart squeezing in confusion. I want him to be happy. But at the same time, if he looked like he had completely forgotten about me already, like I meant nothing to him, then I know that would hurt even more than it does now.
I fold the paper back up and leave it on the counter. At least I have lots to do at work today. Both of us will be kept too busy to think about anything other than what we need to concentrate on.
It’s only 9:30 AM and I can’t concentrate.
All I can think about is Reed.
I got into work a little later than I planned this morning as Suze lives in Brooklyn and I screwed up my estimations over how long the commute would take. I wasn’t late, but I didn’t have time to grab a coffee for Griffin and a latte for me from my favorite coffee place. I was planning on heading straight there once I checked Griffin didn’t need anything else first. But when I got to my desk, there was a hot take-away cup there already, the name ‘Angel’ written on it in thick, black ink. And when I peeked into Griffin’s office, he had a matching cup on his desk.
Reed.
He’d been here moments before I arrived. If I had been on time, then I would have seen him. Is that what he was hoping?
Flutters dance in my stomach at the thought, and I squash them back down. I can’t allow myself to think like that. It won’t do either of us any good.
I’ve made a decision and I have to stick with it.
I knock on Griffin’s door and enter when he calls out.
“I brought you those contracts that need signing for the decorators.” I hand him the list of papers for The Songbird’s private residential foyer, which has been having a re-paint the past couple of weeks.
“Okay.” He frowns at them as he signs each one. He’s managed to delegate signing rights for most things to the hotel management team. But this is Griffin Parker. He’s a control freak. So now and again, he’ll ask me to intercept random contracts and paperwork for him to spot-check. I guess it’s how he puts his mind at ease. I know it drives Maria mad, as it’s the main thing they used to clash heads on when she used to manage The Songbird spa.
But that same facet of his personality is also why I’m praying that going to him for help with the video was the right move. If there’s a way to find out who’s got a copy and why, then he will be able to.
“Could you please add this when you send them back?” Griffin hands me another signed invoice and my stomach churns as I read it.
“This is for the wall in mine and Reed’s—I mean, in Reed’s apartment?”
“It is.” Griffin lifts his eyes to meet mine and I’m met with cool blue.
“It was my fault. I’m sorry.” I swallow as I look at him. Thank God we weren’t in a regular apartment block with thin floors. Griffin and Maria would probably have heard every one of the lies I told Reed if we were.
“It’s no problem. Don’t even think about it, Harley. Reed explained when he came by.”
“This morning?”
“Yes. He came to apologize and to offer to pay for the damage. I told him I’d bust the rest of his knuckles if he mentioned it again.” Griffin’s lips stretch into a smile as he runs his hand down over his tie. “Stupid fucker. He’s lucky he didn’t break his hand.”
I stand mute as my mind whirls. Reed came to offer to pay for the wall. He wasn’t here just to bring coffee and try to bump into me. Or was he doing both? Did he want to see me as well? I screw my eyes up and rub my temples. God, this is a mindfuck. Disappointment drags me down like lead weight at the thought he wasn’t here just for me. But I should be glad. I shouldn’t want him here chasing after me, trying to talk to me. It will only mean I have to lie to his face more than I already have.
“He also told me you had moved out.”
I nod weakly, opening my eyes to meet Griffin’s. “Yes. I’m staying with Suze. I told Maria.”
“I thought so. But I didn’t ask. What you girls talk about between yourselves is private.”
“What about the conversations between us? Is that private, too?”
“I promised I wouldn’t tell him for a week and I meant it. I’ve only spoken with people who I need to in order to find out what’s going on.” He watches me closely as my chest sags in relief.
“Thank you. It’s Reed’s past and… I feel guilty enough talking to you about it, even though you already knew. I mean, you were there for him. You lived through that time with him. If I can talk to anyone then it’s you, but…”
“I might be getting somewhere.” Griffin gives me a pointed look and raises his hand as I open my mouth. “We’re not there, yet. But I’ve been talking to someone who has been able to analyze the beginning of the video.Onlythe beginning.”
I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding as Griffin confirms that whoever it is has only seen the beginning of the video. The part before she pushes Reed down onto the bed and keeps undressing him.
That’s as far as I got the last time I opened it. Once I saw her naked and starting to pull Reed’s clothes from his semi-conscious body, I switched it off and ran to throw up. It’s poor quality and too grainy to make out their faces properly. But I couldn’t stomach another second.