CHAPTER SIX
Lake
I spent the morning working at a frantic pace as two servers at the coffee shop were out with the flu. Then I had to hightail it home and change to go to the Steel and Velvet offices. Freshly showered and dressed in dark jeans and a black T-shirt, I slipped into my Vans, grabbed my coat, and hurried out the door, walking as quietly as I could past Ron’s apartment. Since he’d moved in a year ago, I vacillated between thinking he was just a big blow-hard and being sure he was going to hurt me one day. My naturally smart mouth wanted to really pop off at him, but my natural sense of self-preservation held me back.
I took the subway to downtown Manhattan and walked the remaining six blocks in the freezing cold to the building that housed Steel and Velvet, thankful the sidewalks weren’t covered in ice as they frequently were that time of year. I let out a relieved breath when I entered the heated building and began to relax from my frozen scrunch as I gradually thawed out. I hadn’t had anything to eat the night before and hadn’t been able to grab a muffin at work, as Michelle had been on duty. My stomach was so empty it hurt, and I felt a little light-headed, but if I used any of my money on groceries, I was never going to make the heightened rent. So, my refrigerator would remain empty until payday, and as Khan and Stephen were on their cruise, I couldn’t pop over and let them feed me.
I hurried out of the elevator, finger combing my wind-blown hair as I speed-walked down the hall. My cell phone trilled.
“Hello?”
“Lake, thank God. Where are you?” Julianne sounded panicked.
I glanced up at the double glass doors with Steel and Velvet written on them in elaborate script. “Outside the office. Sorry I’m a little late—”
“No, it’s not that. I have a problem. Gavin hurt his ankle riding his skateboard, and I had to take him to the ER. We’ve almost got that wrapped up, but Claire is having a meltdown because of something on social media. I’ll be there as soon as I can, but would you please show Blaze around? I can’t believe this is happening, today of all days.”
“Calm down, I’ll take care of it. Is Gavin okay?” I opened the door and walked into the small lobby of Julianne’s company. Blaze stood talking to the receptionist and turned when I walked in.
When his gorgeous blue eyes met mine, I nearly stumbled.
Julianne let out her breath in a whoosh. “Yeah. Just a sprain. I’m taking them to my brother Morris’s, but Claire’s not keen on staying there.”
“Just bring them with you,” I said, my gaze still locked with Blaze’s. “Blaze will understand.”
I disconnected and shoved my phone in my coat pocket. Sadly, it was time to be a grown up.
“Sorry neither of us was here when you arrived. Julianne had a family emergency, but she’s on her way.”
“Who is she bringing with her?” Blaze asked. “You said I’d understand.”
“Her kids. I waved to Nick, the receptionist, hoping he hadn’t been flirting with Blaze. Because it was unprofessional, of course, not because I gave a shit. Blaze wore a pair of dark slacks and a blue button-down shirt that complemented both his eyes and his striking black hair. God, he was a good-looking motherfucker.
“Follow me,” I said and led him through the inner door. “I’ll give you the tour.”
I led him to Julianne’s office.
“How old are her kids?”
“Eight and thirteen. The eight-year-old sprained his ankle.” I couldn’t help but smile. “Julianne isn’t used to this type of thing. She adopted the kids last year when her first cousin and his wife were killed in a car accident.”
“Must be a huge change for her.”
I nodded. “Yeah. She’s usually really put together, but the kids have been throwing her off.”
Blaze smiled.
“What?”
“I’m just surprised you’re being nice to me.”
I snorted. “You’re the guy my boss wants to impress. It can’t be that surprising.”
Blaze put a hand to his chest. “You wound me. So, you’re saying you wouldn’t be nice to me otherwise?”
“Have I been so far?” I asked.
Blaze shrugged. “You were friendly the night of Blaze’s party. At least, at first.”
“Yeah, well. You were being a dick.”
“You were flirting with me.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that now he was flirting with me, but I held my tongue. That’s what he was doing, though, right? It certainly seemed that way, but it was possible he was just toying with me for the fun of it.
I narrowed my eyes. “Why don’t I show you around.” I led Blaze down the hall to the room where Derek was shooting a scene. We stood off to the side a moment, watching. I made a face and murmured, “Het sex,” before moving on.
In a professional manner, I showed Blaze everything I could think of and was mentally preparing a monologue on the wonders of the staff bathroom when Julianne came flying through the door, looking disheveled and harassed.
“I’m so sorry,” she said to Blaze.
“It’s all good. Lake explained what happened. You have a very nice setup here. Much better than mine. We work out of a warehouse, and my office is a box and folding chair.”
Julianne took a deep breath and let it out, then smiled. “Thank you for being so understanding.”
“Where are the kids?” I asked her. I’d never met them.
“Gavin’s on crutches, so Claire’s walking him in.” Julianne had left the door to the lobby open, and I saw a dark-haired boy hobble in followed by a pissed-off looking teenage girl. They sat on the velvet love seat, and the girl immediately began scrolling through her phone. The boy took a hand-held game out of his pocket along with a bag of chocolate candy. My stomach growled so loudly, I was amazed everyone within hearing distance didn’t turn to look at me.
Julianne pulled a folder out of her oversized bag. “I’ve taken the liberty of having this contract made up in hopes you’re still interested in the merger,” she told Blaze, passing the folder to him.
“I’ll look it over with my lawyer,” Blaze said. “I may want to add a few clauses.”
“Of course.” Julianne smiled. “I feel confident we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement. Why don’t we go to my office to talk? Would you like some coffee?”
“That would be great.”
Julianne looked at me, and I headed for the break room, glad to get away from Blaze and his amazing looks.
I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and drank it down. Hell, the fruit bowl was empty. I’d hoped for an apple or banana. I settled for a handful of mints from a bowl on the counter and poured the coffee.
Nick walked into the room. He wore a tight pair of pants and a silk shirt that didn’t leave much of his lean frame to the imagination.
“That guy is so hot. I’d like to lick him top to bottom.”
“Down, boy. Julianne is hoping to merge with his company. Don’t ruin it,” I snapped.
“I’d like to merge with him.” Nick’s plucked brows went up as he realized what I’d said. “Does that mean we’ll be seeing more of Mr. Tall, Tough, and Delicious? I’m all for that!”
I picked up the tray of coffees. “Forget about it. He’s straight.”
“Everyone’s got a little bend somewhere, honey,” Nick said as I passed him with the tray.
My stomach rebelled against the mints and cold water, cramping uncomfortably. I needed something substantial if I was going to get through work at the club that night. I was so hungry, all I could think about was food as I handed out the drinks. I slipped out the door and headed for the vending machine in the hall, leaving Blaze and Julianne talking.
The hallway was quiet except for the occasional slide of the elevator doors at the end of the corridor. I perused the contents of the machine while digging into my pockets for change. Peanut butter crackers were the cheapest, and I figured they’d stick to my ribs.
My mouth watered as I counted out the coins in my palm.
Then counted them again.
I sagged against the wall, unexpected tears springing to my eyes. How pathetic was it that I couldn’t afford a package of fucking crackers?
Closing my eyes, I took a couple deep breaths. I’d been hanging on by a thread for months, and it seemed it was all catching up with me. I was exhausted and didn’t have an extra dime. I was just about desperate enough to go beg candy off of Gavin.
“Hey, you okay?”
My eyes flew open, and I straightened, humiliation burning my cheeks.
“I’m fine.” I shoved the loose change back into my pocket.
“You looked sick there for a minute,” Blaze said. The blue folder Julianne had given him was tucked under his arm, and he looked casual and at ease—pretty much the polar opposite of what I was feeling at that moment.
“You and Julianne finished?” I asked.
Blaze nodded.
“Okay. I guess I’d better get back to her then.”
I started down the hall.
“Weren’t you going to get something from the machine?” Blaze called after me.
I shook my head. The movement made me dizzy, and I swayed.
I had a panicked few seconds while imagining myself spread out on the carpet in the corridor before a strong hand grabbed me by the elbow and kept me upright until the room stopped swaying.
“Easy, now. Are you sure you’re okay? Jesus, even your lips are pale. Let’s find you a place to sit down a minute.” Blaze smelled really good, and it would be so easy to just sag against him, but the fact he was seeing me this way had me hot with shame.
I pulled out of his grip. “I’m fine.” It came out a little more snotty than I’d meant it to, so I added, “Thanks.”
Concentrating very hard, I walked down the hall to Julianne’s offices and pushed through the doors. As soon as they swung shut behind me, I sank into the nearest chair and put my face in my hands.
Fuck. My. Life.