“But Jasmine lives off Fifth.”
He nods, parking the car. Before I unbuckle, he gets out and comes around the car, opening my door and unbuckling my seat belt for me. Silently, I follow him to the elevators.
“How long have you lived here?”
“About a year now.” He peers at me. “Jasmine didn’t mention it?”
“No.”
And I just assumed they were living together.
He snorts. “I’m not surprised. She doesn’t like people knowing our marriage isn’t perfect.”
“What about you?”
“Me? I stopped caring a long time ago.”
My ears pop as we rise into the sky. When the doors open, I can’t help but gasp. Straight ahead is a floor to ceiling window with a breathtaking view of the Empire State Building. Jafar ushers me into the living room, letting me gawk away at the lavish penthouse.
Jafar says, “Have a seat and I’ll order us some lunch. What are you in the mood for?”
“I’m not really hungry.”
His gaze narrows. “Ellie.”
“Fine. Maybe pizza. Heck, I’d be happy with a burger, too. Anything fast and easy.”
“Pizza it is.”
I sit on the leather couch, sinking into the cushions. It’s warm and inviting, unlike the house Jasmine lives at where everything is white and has me scared I’m going to leave a mark somewhere. I’m so comfortable that my eyes start to shut until I jerk awake. When I do, I find Jafar sitting on the opposite end of the couch.
“Sorry.” I sit upright.
“Don’t be.” His eyes search mine. “Did you get any sleep last night?”
I shake my head once.
“How tired are you?”
“Pretty tired,” I admit. “But every time I close my eyes, I—it’s just better if I stay awake.”
He glances at his watch and stands. “Come with me.”
I’m leery but do as he says. He leads me down a long hallway, to a door. Opening it, he smiles.
“There’s my girl.”
The tone of his voice makes my chest ache. He moves further into the room while I stand in the doorway, feeling like an outsider. And who is in there? Maybe this is why he and Jasmine have separate houses. She said he’s cheated, so it could be another woman. But then I hear a meow. Curiosity gets the best of me, and I enter the room.
“Oh, my gosh. Is that—”
He grins, stepping aside so I can pet the black cat who rubs against my leg.
“It is.”
“But you said you were going to get rid of her!”
He gives me a small smile. “How could I after we went through all the trouble of saving her?”