Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 87522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Tessa and Betsy just met, but my best friend has a way of putting people at ease.
Betsy smiles. “That’d be great. I’m looking forward to it.”
Once Tessa and I hit a café for lunch, I fill her in on Addison’s earlier antics.
“She did not empty your purse on your desk,” Tessa says.
“She did. I’m still pissed about it.”
“You should be.”
“But I’m more confused. Why does she think Braden is bad news? She won’t tell me. When I asked her if she doesn’t talk about it or she can’t talk about it, she changed the subject.”
“You think she has an NDA or something?”
“I have no idea.”
“It has to be something like that. Otherwise, why wouldn’t she tell you? If she’s concerned that you’ll become competition for her because of your relationship with Braden, surely she’d want to get you away from him.”
“Good point,” I say, “and one I hadn’t considered. You’re right. She can’t talk about it, for whatever reason.”
“Or it’s a big fat lie,” Tessa observes.
“I don’t think so. She and Braden both admit to having a thing years ago. Whatever it was, it didn’t end well.”
I don’t tell Tessa that I think I’m falling for Braden. I’m hoping it will go away. After all, I’ve known him for all of a week.
The waiter delivers our lunches, and I take a quick bite of my chicken sandwich.
“When are you taking the doggie basket over to Sasha?” Tessa asks.
“Tonight. Betsy’s treats are all organic and best enjoyed within a week.”
Tessa swallows her bite of pasta. “Betsy seems nice.”
“She is. Not the kind of person Addie normally—” I stop abruptly, a light flashing in my mind.
“What?” Tessa asks.
“Betsy’s a childhood friend of Addie’s. I wonder…”
“If they went to high school together?”
“Yeah. She must be some friend. Addie doesn’t usually work for free, and she never charges Betsy for a post. If she’s that good of a friend, she might know something about Addie and Braden.”
“I’m on it,” Tessa says. “Maybe she’ll talk about Addie when we have our drinks tonight.”
“Maybe.” I take another bite of my sandwich, starting to feel a little guilty. I don’t want to use Betsy for information. “Don’t force her to talk, though.”
“How on earth could I possibly force her? Besides, I wouldn’t do that.”
“I know. I just wish I could get Braden to tell me.”
“Maybe it’s nothing,” Tessa says. “In fact, it probably is. This sounds like drama of Addie’s making. Classic.”
“You’re probably right.”
Between Tessa’s drinks with Betsy and my trip to Braden’s, this evening will be interesting.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
My nerves on edge, I grasp the doggie gift basket, nod to the doorman, and buzz Braden’s penthouse.
No response for a few seconds. I buzz again.
“Yes?” says a female voice.
“Annika, is that you? It’s Skye Manning.”
“Hello, Ms. Manning. Mr. Black isn’t home.”
“I know he’s in New York. I wanted to stop by because I have something for Sasha. A doggie gift basket from the Bark Boutique.”
“How kind of you. I’ll send Christopher down to get it.”
“No, I—”
But she clicks off the intercom.
A few minutes later, Christopher steps out of Braden’s private elevator on the far side of the lobby. “Ms. Manning.”
“Hi, Christopher.” I hold the basket to him. “Addison did an Instagram post today for Betsy’s Bark Boutique, and Betsy gave us each a basket. Since I don’t have a dog, I thought I’d give this to Sasha.”
“That’s kind of you. Do you want to take it upstairs with me and say hi to her? Sasha will love it.”
“Sure. Thanks.”
A few minutes later, we step out of the elevator into Braden’s lavish penthouse. Christopher whistles, and Sasha comes running.
“Hey, baby.” I kneel and pet her soft head. “I brought you all kinds of goodies.” I take the basket from Christopher’s arms. “I’ll just put this in the kitchen.”
Christopher wrinkles his forehead but doesn’t stop me. I set the basket on the island and untie the ribbon. “Come here, Sasha!”
She runs into the kitchen.
“Do you know any commands?”
“She knows them all.” Christopher has apparently followed me to the kitchen.
“Great. Sasha, sit.”
The dog plops down on her hindquarters.
“Good girl!” I hand her a small peanut butter dog treat. “There’s some rawhide in here. Toys, too, it looks like.”
After a minute of watching Sasha play, I look up at Christopher. “Could I use the restroom before I go?”
“Sure.”
I walk slowly to the powder room, half expecting him to follow me, but he doesn’t.
I spend a few minutes in the powder room, and then I flush the toilet and wash my hands. Before I open the door to leave, I dart my gaze downward to the magazine rack. It’s filled with mail.
Strange. Does Braden read his mail in here? This is the first time I’ve actually been inside this room. In the past, I always used the bathroom in Braden’s master suite.
None of your business, Skye. Walk away. Just walk away.