“Jesus! Where did you come from?” I asked.
She blinked, and the vacant look disappeared. Frowning at me, she pointed to the elevator. She rolled her eyes, as if to sayduh.
I narrowed my eyes on her. “What are you doing on this floor?”
“Visiting a friend,” she sneered. “We’re not all like you, a fucking loner freak.”
And then she proceeded to walk to Trinity’s door and knock on it. Moments later, Trinity opened it and greeted Angelica with open arms.
Fuck.
I was really losing it.
I turned away from them and threw the rose into the trash bin by the elevator. I climbed on, and when I turned around, I found Angelica’s eyes on me once more. She looked at the rose in the trash bin, as if she took personal offense that I would throw it away.
The elevator doors closed, cutting her from my view, and I leaned my back against the door.
I had to tell Roman about the roses.
I knew it then.
I also knew he was going to freak out that I didn’t tell him sooner.
Fuck.
* * *
I stoppedby a nearby restaurant and ordered a cheeseburger to go, although I was no longer craving it.
I had completely lost my appetite, and as I sat down on one of the tables, waiting for my food to finish cooking, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
I turned and looked around, trying not to make it obvious, when my eyes connected with familiar green ones.
I blinked.
Then a small smile overtook my face as Brent caught my eyes.
He matched my expression and stood up, walking over to me.
I let him pull me into his arms and looked him over.
Brent Ledger had been considered a part of my family since I was little. He studied under my dad, and last I heard, he was a hotshot corporate lawyer in Chicago.
“Hey, what are you doing back in California?” I asked.
His green eyes twinkled, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “It just felt like the right time to come home.”
“Does my dad know you’re here?”
Something flashed over his eyes, pulling me up short. “No, Ryleigh, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell him.”
“Oh.”
I hadn’t realized there had been a falling out between them. They had been close, and I knew Brent was like the son he never had. It would have been easier if Brent had been my brother. Would have taken some of the pressure off of me, even though I knew how weird the thought was, considering how big of a crush I used to have on him.
“Are you working in Sacramento, then?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I just got back. I’m in between jobs.”
