Twenty-two

LILAH

Monday morning has rolled around once again and still no word from Andrew.

I spent my weekend home alone and binging on my favorite shows while I cleaned my apartment from top to bottom. Cleaning has always been a coping mechanism of mine and the place is fucking spotless, if I do say so myself.

Once the place was immaculate, I began working on some emails to potential donors for my project. With things so shaky, I don’t want to rely solely on this thing at Castle working out. Who’s to say Edward will even uphold his end of the deal?

I polished the PowerPoint presentation that I attach to every email and even worked on the website for a while. It felt good to be immersed in work that actually means something to me. Not to mention, it was a great distraction.

Pathetically, I kept my phone on the charger not too far from me at any given moment.

Just in case.

It never rang. By Sunday, I had stopped hoping against hope and faced the truth of the matter. He’s never going to call.

This is exactly why you shouldn’t go around screwing people you’re not in love with.

I’ve been around the block enough times to know that I shouldn’t mistake my strong attraction to Andrew for love. While I was definitely falling for him, what I felt for him still wasn’t love… yet.

And those feelings had clearly been one-sided.

Fine.

I’ll come to terms with that on my own time. However, I still need to figure out a way to manage his account in the midst of all this.

How the hell am I supposed to maintain professionalism when I reach out to him when all I really want to do is curse him out?

These tumultuous thoughts tumble around in my head as I exit the stairwell and head for the parking lot outside my apartment building. I press unlock on my key fob as I walk to my assigned parking spot.

But there’s only one problem.

My car isn’t here.

You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me!

Counting backwards in my head to my last warning voicemail, I realize that I missed the deadline to submit a payment installment to the bank. And they certainly kept their word about confiscating my wheels.

“Son of a bitch!” I screech into the humid morning air.

It’s not even nine and the sun is already glaring down on me ruthlessly. Hands fisted at my side, I throw my head back and groan low in my throat.

Why is this happening?

The universe can’t be this adverse to me catching a break for once.

“Looks like I’m walking.” I exhale, accepting my fate.

With my sunglasses in place, I set off for the center of town after shooting Louisa a hasty email to tell her that I might be a little late.

Car problems is what I title the correspondence. Ha!

Rationally speaking, I know that I could easily call Charli and request a ride. But I haven’t picked up her calls in the last few days and I’m not in the right frame of mind to deal with the mouthful she no doubt wants to unload on me.

A few minutes into my walk, I’m realizing that I probably should have gone back upstairs to grab a more comfortable pair of walking shoes to get me to the office. These heels are pinching the hell out of my toes.

Rounding the corner, a shiny gray Audi catches my eye as it makes a sharp and noisy U-turn and heads back in my direction. I don’t think anything of it, just assuming the driver forgot something back home.

Until it slows to a crawl beside me and the passenger window is rolled down.

“Morning, Lily Cat!” Mason’s cheerful voice glides over to me on the sidewalk.

A brand new wave of embarrassment assaults me as I stop walking and peer at him through the tinted open window.

What are the odds of me running into him twice in such a short period of time after not seeing him for years?

“Hi Mason,” I try to infuse my voice with extra pep to disguise my humiliation. “How’s it going?”

By now he’s pulled over into the bike lane and turned on his hazards, drawing even more attention to us.

Jesus.

“Get in, Lily Cat.”

I don’t know why his command catches me off guard. Mason’s always been the perfect gentleman.

I think about turning him down but then my feet cry out in protest making the decision an easy one. When I open the door and drop down onto the leather of his passenger seat, my feet sing in relief.

Mason shifts the sleek car back into drive as I buckle my seatbelt, pulling away from the side of the road.

“Where to?” he asks jovially.

Once I give him the address, Mason nods while tapping his fingers against the steering wheel in time with the music playing.

“Why were you walking, Lily Cat?”

I want to cringe at the nickname. He always claimed the nickname stemmed from the name of some futuristic sci-fi movie he saw as a child.

It was cute in college, but now I want to gag. I’ve just about had it with men and their stupid nicknames for me…

Looking over at Mason’s friendly face, I suddenly feel guilty. He didn’t have to offer me a ride and I should be expressing gratitude, not dredging up all the ways a nickname from ten years ago annoys me.

Maybe I’m just grumpy.

“Car trouble,” I speak, finally answering his question.

“Sorry to hear that,” he states as he begins driving again. “Do you know a good mechanic around here? If not, you know my dad still has a shop up in Stamford. I could probably get him to tow it for free if you want,” he proposes generously.

I feel the size of an ant right now. Here he is genuinely concerned and I don’t have the heart to tell him that my car trouble is really code for repossession.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ve got it under control.” I muster up my best smile and relax a little when he doesn’t linger on the subject.

“Why didn’t you call your boyfriend for a ride?”

In the back of my mind, I knew this question was coming. I’d just hope we’d be closer to the office when that time came so I could flee.

Mason shoots me an expectant look from the corner of his eye.

“He’s out of town on business,” I lie smoothly, biting the inside of my cheek.

Watching the passing landmarks, I grow antsy in my seat. I swear we’re catching every traffic light in sight, tacking excruciating extra minutes onto this already uncomfortable ride.

“Too bad,” Mason murmurs thoughtfully. “How serious are you two, anyway?”

I should really be rewarded for resisting the urge to roll my eyes on that one.

There is no such thing as serious when it comes to Andrew Knight. He’s a rich playboy with the attention span of a squirrel. And I ignored all the warning signs thinking our relationship was different.

Brushing off Mason’s question with a vague answer, I steer the conversation to him. For the remainder of the ride he tells me all about his girlfriend.

I enjoy watching the way his face lights up at the mere mention of her. He’s smitten and it’s absolutely adorable.

By the time we reach the office, I’ve relaxed considerably and am ready to face the day.

After thanking him for the ride, I dash into the lobby of the building and shoot Louisa a warm smile.

Reaching my office, I stop in my tracks when I see the door is wide open and there’s someone standing inside.

It’s Andrew.

And he’s pissed.