how I’m going to manage working with the woman all day, every day? “When do you move your stuff in?”
Maggie turns from her spot at the window, where she was checking out the view, and pauses like she has to think about it. “I don’t have much. Considering the size of this place, that’s a good thing.”
“You’ll need a bed.”
Maggie nods, assessing the space again. “Monica’s giving me hers. She’s going to have the movers bring over some things once she’s all moved into Zach’s. I might take her couch, too, if there’s room.”
“There’s more room than you think. You just have to be creative.”
She shrugs. “I’ll be fine. It’s temporary, right?” Her eyes meet mine in a mutual agreement, probably our only one since we met. She doesn’t want to be here as much as I don’t want to be here.
“Right.” Of course it’s temporary. Everything Maggie does is temporary. There’s no reason I should expect any less from her here. “I’ll leave you to it. Just make sure you’re downstairs in an hour to start your training. I’ll go easy on you today, promise.”
Her expression twists into confusion. “Um, today? We never discussed a start date.”
I raise my brows. “You’re moving in today, right?”
“Yes,” she answers, caution filling her tone.
“Then today’s your start date.” I back away from her door with a wink. “See you downstairs.”
“No.” She charges out the door and slams it behind her before stomping past me.
I whip my body around to follow her movements, shock pulsing through my veins. “No?”
“You heard me,” she says, taking the steps quickly. “I have shit to do. I can’t start today.”
I quicken my walk, following her down the stairs to the street, where she pulls out her phone and goes straight to the ride-share app. I’m officially panicking. “I already fired Gretta. You have to start today.”
Her eyes snap to mine. “Well, I can’t. I only came here first to see how much shit I would be able to fit in the studio. I have to get to Zach’s place and set aside furniture for the movers to deliver here tonight. Then I need to be here to let them in. I’m sorry, Desmond. I’ll start on Monday.”
I assess her with my eyes, feeling hopeless and ready to let her walk away when an idea strikes. “What if I take you to Zach’s and then drive you back here so you can help me?”
“Nope. I’m good.” Her retort is quick and dismissive before her focus returns to her phone.
I look down and growl. “Please don’t tell me you’re scheduling a ride to take you ten minutes from here. I can take you.”
Her face twists at my offer. “It’s not the middle of the night in a dingy part of town. I’m perfectly capable of getting to and from Zach’s place.”
Her finger is hovering above the button to confirm her ride when I snatch the phone away. “And I’m perfectly capable of driving you myself.”
“Give me back my phone.” She reaches for my hand as I yank it away.
I look down at her with a wicked glare and hold the phone above my head. She jumps in a futile effort to grab for it, causing me to chuckle. While she’s tall, I’ve still got at least eight inches on her.
“I’ll give it back when you stop being a stubborn little mule.”
With a scream, she stomps her foot on the pavement and crosses her arms. “I can’t believe this is my life.”
“Better start believing it, darlin’. I can even pinch you if that’ll help.” Then I let out a sigh and lower my hand to give her back the phone. “Look, I’m already here,” I say as she snatches it from my palm. “Let me save you a few dollars and give you a ride. Consider it a housewarming gift.”
She scoffs and shakes her head. “You’re so generous. Don’t you have work to get back to?”
I nod. “Yup, and so do you. We better hurry. Wouldn’t want to be late on your first day.”
11
Training
Maggie
He starts to walk off, and I follow, making quick work of my feet as he leads me around the side of the building to an alley. Tucked away on the bottom floor of the Edible Desire building is a large metal gate leading to a parking garage.
The second Desmond opens the gate, I spot his car and walk toward it faster than he can lead me. I’m still fuming from his demands, even when he comes