Catch - Deborah Bladon Page 0,72
Earl Newman then being chastised for lying to his family about my relationship with Maren.
I didn’t tell him that I fell in love with her.
Maren approaches my stoop dressed in jeans and a white sweater. The low-heeled boots on her feet are worn on the toes. Her hair is blowing in the light breeze.
She looks just as she did at the diner.
The three of us watch in silence as she knocks on the door twice. Her finger reaches out to ring the bell, and then again.
Her brow furrows as she yanks her phone out of her bag.
I watch her fingers move over the screen.
She’s trying to call me. The timestamp on the video matches the missed call on my phone. The voicemail she left was quick and to the point. “I’m standing on your stoop. Open the door.”
She tilts her head. Her lips move, and I lean closer to the screen.
“ Where are you ?”
Her finger jabs the doorbell again.
She tries to call again. When I listened to the second voicemail message yesterday, I heard the slight panic in her voice, and I see it on her face now. “Keats, I need to prepare for the party. The caterers are coming soon. Let me in.”
“Maren wants to see you, I think.” Stevie elbows me.
I don’t respond. I’m riveted to the screen watching every move Maren makes.
She finally takes a step back, glances up at the front of the house, and then looks directly at the door.
“ Please, be okay, Keats. I love you .”
The phone tumbles from my shaking hands.
Berk’s hand lands on my shoulder. “I saw it too. I read her lips.”
“What did she say?” Stevie’s gaze volleys between her dad and me.
“She said she loved me.” I don’t recognize my voice.
Stevie drops Budley so she can cradle my face in her small hands. “You love her too, don’t you?”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “I do.”
“I want to be a flower girl at your wedding.” She smiles. “I promise I’ll do my best, Keats.”
“I promise to do my best too.” I kiss her forehead. “I’m going to do everything I can to get Maren back.”
Chapter 57
Keats
Arietta, Maren’s roommate, is a goddamn ghost.
I swear to fuck I can never catch her at home. Or she’s actively avoiding me because she wants to keep Dudley forever.
I’m leaning toward the second explanation since Maren told me that Arietta loves that dog.
Ricky raises a hand in the air to me.
It’s the fifth time he’s done that since I sat down on this bench twenty minutes ago. Tonight, Arietta isn’t going to win this silent battle we’re in the middle of.
I’m staying put until she gets home from work or takes Dudley for a walk before bed.
Ricky scurries across the marble floor toward the door of the building.
I lined his palm with a hundred dollar bill with the hope that he’d tell me if Arietta is already upstairs.
After he pocketed the cash, he explained that he lives by the rule of conscience.
I asked what the fuck that was. He laughed and said it meant that he couldn’t sell out the residents of the building.
I would have saved myself some money if I knew that sooner.
He opens the door and smiles.
In walks a brunette that I recognize immediately.
Maybe my luck is changing for the better.
I bolt to my feet and sprint toward her. She stops as soon as she notices me on the approach.
“Bianca,” I call out.
Her blue eyes narrow. “What are you doing here?”
Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to find Maren.
“I need to see Maren.” I take a step to the left to try and lure her away from Ricky.
I don’t need the doorman in my business. He’s not my friend. He’s not even my informant. He’s a guy who stole a hundred dollars from me.
“You hurt her,” she accuses.
I nod. “I did. I’m so fucking sorry for that.”
“You should be sorry. You need to apologize to Maren, not me.”
She’s right. I want to do that. “I can’t find her.”
Her gaze hits the floor. She leans back on her heels. “Do you care about her, Keats?”
“I love her,” I say with conviction. “I am so fucking crazy about her.”
Her gaze darts to the elevator. “Let’s go somewhere to talk. I came to get the dog from Arietta to bring him to you, but that can wait.”
Everything can wait until I have Maren back in my arms.
***
Never underestimate the power of your words.
It’s a mistake I’ve made countless times in the past.