Page 43 of Wicked Little Thief

There was nothing she could do about that now, but she should start looking for a new place—sooner rather than later. Even if it meant breaking her lease.

The eviction notice waiting on her front door took that decision out of her hands.

Chapter Sixteen

Liam

He loosened his tie as he walked to his designated parking space in the hospital garage. It’d been a long, shitty day, but he still smiled as he unlocked his Mercedes and slid behind the wheel.

What a difference having Utah waiting for him at home made. He couldn’t wait to hold her and take a deep breath of her shampoo. His body relaxed just thinking about it.

The drive home went by in a blur—his thoughts alternating between the clusterfuck at work to wondering if she’d made dinner again.

He’d texted her when he’d established an estimated time he was leaving and once again in the elevator on the way down to the parking garage.

Both had been unread and unanswered. He selfishly hoped that meant she was busy cooking dinner. Before last night, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d sat down and had a home-cooked meal with anyone. Maybe last Christmas at his parents’ house. Janice left him dinners to heat up, but he always ate them alone. Sharing a meal and conversation with someone enhanced far more than just the food.

The first thing he noticed as he pulled into the garage was her missing car.

Maybe she’d had to run back to her apartment for something.

He checked his phone again. His messages to her remained unread.

Phoebe excitedly greeted him when he walked through the door, so he stopped to pet her before walking through the kitchen.

He noticed a sheet of paper where he’d left his note for her that morning. Except it wasn’t his handwriting that he was looking at, it was her pretty, scrawling script. He appreciated her thoughtfulness that she’d let him know where she’d gone.

As he started reading, his appreciation quickly turned to something else.

Dear Liam,

I’ve been offered a job out of town and have to start immediately, so unfortunately, I won’t be able to help with Phoebe anymore. I’m so sorry.

But fortunately, Janice’s daughter, Cindy, is able to start tomorrow and was thrilled with the salary you offered. She was wonderful with Phoebe today, and I think she’ll be perfect for the job.

She’s able to come in the afternoon Monday through Friday and was open to the occasional weekend if you need her. She plans to feed her every day before she leaves. We also discussed gradually converting Phoebe to eating only once a day, so that will be one less thing you’ll have to worry about—during the week anyway.

Thank you for adopting Phoebe. You’re a wonderful man, and I’m glad to have met you. I wish you only good things.

Adoringly,

Utah

What the actual fuck?

She’s glad to have met me? Like, I’m not going to see her again? She was just saying this morning that she needed to give me a nickname.

What the fuck for?

She was offered a job out of town that she had to leave immediately for—and she fucking took it?

After he’d offered her a job where she could name her price.

To say Liam was confused and pissed was an understatement.

He picked up his phone to fire off another text to her but saw she still hadn’t read the ones he’d sent earlier, so he dialed her number instead. His call went straight to voicemail, and he disconnected the call.

Squeezing the device in his hand, he let out a frustrated growl and slid it across the counter to keep himself from hurling it against the wall.

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