Page 112 of The Last Good Man

The more I eat, the more I get into it. I tear a piece of the bread off and pop it into my mouth.

The carbs calm me down.

I wash it down with coffee when she speaks.

“You want me to check some listings?”

“Yes, please. When you have time, I need you to make a list of properties on the Upper East Side. Size doesn’t matter. I don’t expect to raise a family here, so it can be a nice studio or a two-bedroom apartment—whatever speaks to me.”

“Price rage?”

I run a napkin over my lips before leaning back in my seat, pondering.

“Nothing over two million dollars. I don’t want to splurge. I might move outin the near future, rent it, or sell it––I don’t know. I just need to have a place of my own right now.”

She looks at me with a bit of wonder on her face. It’s not like me to be impulsive, especially when purchasing something important like a home. Plus, the market is not that great for buyers now.

Generally speaking, these transactions bear some risk.

“It’s urgent…” she murmurs.

“Yes. Yes, it is,” I say, determination flashingthrough my voice.

She sucks in a short breath and straightens.

“Okay,” she says. “Would that be all?” she asks, collecting her tablet as voices ring in the hallway.

“Yes. That’s all for now.”

“Good.”

She rises from her seat.

“The boardroom is ready for your first meeting.”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

I still have some time to think about the changes that I need to make.

She leaves my office while I pick up a strawberry and munch on it, staring blankly at the view outside.

I remember eating strawberries with him, and I relish that moment but not for long.

Pushing that memory back, I slide my hand into my purse, collect my phone, and scroll mindlessly, occasionally reading the news.

I alsocheckthe messages I sent Thomas and the phone number I saved under ‘The Impossible Man.'

I can’t call either.

And damn, it feels bad.

I know exactly what would happen if I did.

Thomas wouldn’t answer.

He’s probably on his way to work and in no mood to talk to me.

Saywhatexactly? What could he say to me? I haven’t heard from him since Friday.

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