Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
I restrain the cackle I want to free and put on an air of disdain until she flips her hair as she exits on the sixteenth floor. As soon as the doors close again, I flip my hair just to do it. I may not be as sophisticated as her, but I like what I see when I look at my reflection in the mirrored doors.
I may not have memories, but as I get to know myself again, I like who I am.
The elevator dings, and the doors slide open on the eighteenth floor. There are two ways to go. I take a chance and go left. With only three doors, his is easy to find at the end.
I stick the key in and turn to open the door. I’m hit with a view that steals my breath and am quick to grab the frame for support. I exhale and smile. “Oh my, Mr. Westcott. You’ve got quite the apartment.”
Glancing down at the briefcase, I let the door close behind me and stroll toward the picturesque view. I should grab the case and go . . . I really should, but I look around like the snoop I am, still smiling like a dork.
His apartment is exactly like Loch—classic and styled with everything in its place. I wish I could stay longer, but I know he needs his briefcase. I peek out the windows, getting a stunning city view and a glimpse of water in the other direction.
Other than a few photos hung on one side of the living room, he has art on the other walls. It’s so tempting to see who fills the frames, but I’ve already stayed too long. I hurry back, grab the case, and lock up.
I squeeze into the elevator with a guy with a dogwalker tag on his shirt and a trio of corgis. Bending down, I rub their little licky faces. “They’re cute.”
“They’re a handful too,” he says, laughing.
The dogs barge into the lobby as soon as the doors open, dragging their walker behind them. “Have a good day,” I say with a wave.
Brady stands by the door and opens it as soon as he sees me. “Nice place,” I say, hopping in the back.
When he gets into the driver’s seat, he says, “It’s not too shabby. Did you see the water?”
“Not long enough. I didn’t want to keep him waiting.” I cuddle the briefcase like it will explode if it jostles. When I realize what I’m doing, I set it beside me and keep myself from running my fingers over the black leather.
Brady says, “Loch has had me over for meals and meetings. It’s a nice view, but I don’t think he enjoys it.”
“What do you mean?”
“He works all the time, so he’s not home enough to appreciate that apartment.”
I’m nodding like I know this firsthand. I’ve known him a few days, and although I have a strong sense of his life from the hints he’s dropped, I’m starting to think that Loch doesn’t have much of a life at all. Of course that’s easy for me to say since I don’t know how I filled my days or made money.
Wonder what I did for a living?
“We’re here. Twenty-third floor.”
I peek out the window and look high into the sky to see an impressively mirrored skyscraper disappear into the clouds. “Thanks.”
Stepping onto the sidewalk, I need to steady myself. Maybe I’ve been running around too much this morning, but I feel a bit woozy. I walk inside, and after checking in with the front desk, they find my name, give me a pass, and direct me to the elevators.
I’m front and center in an elevator packed full of men in suits. I might have seen a woman in the back, but she’s not tall enough to see now with the doors closed. When I step off and see the Westcott Law Firm sign, I walk toward the reception.
“Hello?” A man, maybe early twenties and covered in freckles that give him a youthful look, greets me.
“I’m here to see Mr. Westcott.” I never thought to ask if this is his company or a family-run business. What if he’s not the only Westcott around? “Loch.”
The man grins. “Yes. He’s expecting you.” When he glances down to read the log in front of him, his brow furrows. His eyes lift slowly. “Ms. Westcott?”
“It’s a long story,” I reply with a chuckle.
His eyebrows shoot up. “I bet. Enter right there, take a left, and follow it around until you reach the corner office. His name plaque hangs outside the door, so you can’t miss it.”
“Thanks.”
I push through the door to reach a good-sized room with cubicles. I follow the path along the windows and keep walking past the offices on the left until I come to Loch’s office. A desk sits outside it with a large area full of cabinets and a purse on the floor near the trash bin. Looking both ways, I don’t see anyone, so I check the doorknob. It’s unlocked.