Big Ben (See No Evil Trilogy #1) - Nana Malone Page 0,32
I grabbed my towel and quickly ran it through my hair and over my body. I grabbed a pair of boxers and a T-shirt. I knew there was no way I’d get back to sleep. I checked the time and groaned. It was only 1:30. If it was closer to five, it would make sense to get up and go on my run, get some exercise, and start the day early, but this was ridiculous.
I climbed back in bed and grabbed my laptop.
I knew what I shouldn’t do. What I shouldn’t do was think about Olivia Ashong or the way she’d outmaneuvered me. I wasn’t supposed to think about those dark eyes and the way she looked when she smiled or about the curve of her ass fitting against my palm.
Stop thinking about her.
There were rules to this. Rules I was breaking. But I couldn’t help myself. For some reason, she was like a tether to this world that I didn’t know I needed. I had no idea why the fuck I felt that way. I didn’t know her. She didn’t know me. But still, everything about her made me feel solidly planted, which was ridiculous because she had me by the balls.
I still had a favor, or favors, to do for her, and I had no idea what they were. I just knew they were coming. And she knew about the flash drive. Not necessarily what was on it but that I was implying its importance, and that was dangerous enough. I opened the images that East had pulled off CCTV from the fundraiser.
She looked regal. Elegant. But I almost liked her dirty secretary look better. The bun, the glasses, the buttoned-up vibe with a spark of mischief in her eyes and the hint of anger. I zoomed in on the photo and frowned when I saw her pin. Was that what she’d been looking for? Like the dick that I was, I hadn’t stopped to think about it or to help her. When I zoomed in, I frowned. Was that a Batman pin? That’s what she’d been looking for in the closet?
She must really like the caped crusader. And then I had another flash of memory. The photo on her desk. In it, her mother had worn a pin just like it.
Jesus. You are a wanker.
I absolutely was a wanker. What the fuck had I done? I had broken it and then left her to pick up the pieces.
I’d broken it, so I needed to replace it.
Looked like I had more than a few debts to pay.
9
Livy
“Happy first day of work!” Telly’s voice carried through the restaurant and several people turned to look. She blew in like a storm, her dark hair fanning out behind her like she traveled with a personal wind machine.
I grinned as I stood. “Hey, Tell.”
She gave me a tight hug. “We need wine, immediately.”
I laughed. “I already ordered. And remember, I still have to go back to work.”
“Ugh. God, killjoy. It’s five o’clock somewhere.”
“Well, in that case, I’ll drink to that.” The waiter arrived then with the wine, and Telly sagged in her seat. “Oh my God, yes, pour.”
“What’s wrong with you? Everything okay with Carmen?” The two of them had been dating for several months, and they were coming up to the six-month is-this-moving-forward term. I could practically see Telly’s feet turning into blocks of ice.
“She’s good. She’s coming down from Bristol at the weekend.”
“I have to say, Tells, I’m proud of you for stepping into relationship-hood. I, for one, think she’s good for you.”
“I like her a lot. But how are you supposed to know if someone is right for you?”
“I don’t know. Faith in fate, I guess.” Since when did I believe in faith or fate?
She took a big sip. “Do you really think Dexter is it for you? I mean, it’s been two years.”
“Oh no, you’re not deflecting with me. This is not about me. Besides, part of those years was long distance before he moved us to the States and back again. Lots of transition. Our situation is different.” Even Telly didn’t know how far things had disintegrated.
I dragged my attention back to Telly. “I mean I like her; I just don’t know if it’s a love thing.”
“Wouldn’t it be so helpful if there were a sign people could wear that said, Yes, great love potential. I’m not an asshole.”
“Yes! Where is this invention in my life?” Telly said as she snorted a laugh.