When Stars Collide (Second Chance Romance #2) - Sara Furlong-Burr Page 0,51

me from walking into a column. “You know, most people look ahead and not directly up at the ceiling while walking.”

“Since when have I been most people?”

“You make a good point.”

“Is this what you wanted to show me? Because I’m sold. You have your own little community here. It’s a wonder you even come into the office.” As we approached the gym Phineas mentioned, I paused at the window. Even the building’s gym was massive, dwarfing the hole in the wall I used to frequent in my hometown in Ohio.

“Not in the slightest, but if you want to stand there and watch sweaty men working out the rest of the night, don’t let me stop you.”

“It’s tempting, but let’s carry on.”

I followed him to a row of elevators, where he reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, removing a card which he then held in front of a sensor. One of the elevator doors opened, and he motioned for me to step inside. Once inside, I noticed him pressing the button for the roof, instead of one of the buttons for the floors.

“Taking me all the way to the top, eh?”

He smiled. “It’s the only place to be.”

The elevator began its ascent, moving slower than I would have guessed it would have, given the fast-paced lives the occupants in this building must lead. While it crept upward, I became grateful that it wasn’t made of glass, as I probably would have passed out, given how far up I knew we were climbing. Even gazing at the ceiling from the floor of the atrium had been enough to make my knees weak.

“So,” I began, leaning against the back wall of the elevator, “is it a habit of yours to bring strange women back to your luxury penthouse under the guise of showing them something they’ve never seen before?”

If he would have been drinking something, I’m certain he would have spat it out against the wall of the elevator. “No, actually. You’re the first. Well, the first since …” He trailed off, perhaps hoping I would let it go without making him finish his sentence. Apparently, he didn’t know me as well as he thought he did.

“Since?” I asked, raising my eyebrow.

“My ex-girlfriend. We broke up last year after two years together.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You opened up to me in the cab, I guess I should return the favor.” He put his hands in his pockets, leaning one hip against the side of the elevator car. “She couldn’t handle all the hours I put in at work. All the time alone. Honestly, I can’t say as I blame her.”

“Now I feel like a real asshole for all the grief I’ve been giving you.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it. You were right. I needed to start getting out there again. Hell, even Clarence was starting to give me crap. If you hadn’t been there with me tonight, he most likely would have said something to me about coming home alone again.”

“He probably thinks you’re Pretty-Womaning me.”

“I don’t follow.”

“Have you seen the movie Pretty Woman? It’s the one where Richard Gere basically buys Julia Roberts’s character for a week because, you know, she’s a hooker and all.”

“Is that even a thing?”

“Prostitution has always been a thing, Phin.”

“I know, but you don’t think …”

I gestured up and down my body, highlighting the dress that left little to the imagination, even with Phineas’s suit coat still draped around my shoulders. His eyes followed my hand down each curve, widening as though noticing for the first time how form-fitting the dress was.

“It would appear I may need to have a conversation with Clarence.”

With a screech, the door to the elevator slid open, and Phineas and I stepped out together.

“No worries. I’ll just make a sign that reads, Not A Prostitute and tape it to my boobs before I leave.”

A couple who had been waiting to board the elevator stopped mid-conversation to look me up and down, before their focus turned to Phineas.

“Hey, Mark. Hey, Lisa. Lovely evening, isn’t it?” he greeted them.

“Yes, it certainly is for fall,” Mark answered. A flummoxed Lisa concurred with a courteous nod.

“This is Mena. She works with me at my company.”

“Pleasure to meet you. Don’t worry, I’m definitely not a prostitute,” I greeted them, shaking first Mark’s hand, and then Lisa’s.

“And on that note, have a good night.” Phineas bade them farewell, wrapping his arm around me and steering me away from the elevator.

Bewildered, Mark and Lisa looked from one another