Page 3 of Forever Mine

Chapter 2

His presence wasn’t threatening, but my mouth refused to open. I nodded in response to Blue Eyes’ greeting and waited for my heart to act right. After a deep breath, I forced my gazeback to the phone.

Angelica, my daughter, had sent me a text. She was seven, super-bright,and had her own phone. I didn't approve of her having it, but her father—the sneaky bastard that he was—gave it to her for Christmas.

Angel was responsible for teaching my mother half of what she knew about her laptop, phone, and tablet. As young asshe was,Angel figuredout things about my electronic gadgets that mystified me—and I wasn’t a slouch.

“This child is something else,” I murmured.

Still smiling, I looked up and locked gazes with he-of-the-unkempt-hair-and-startling-blue-eyes.Frowning,I focused on him. He wasn't as young as I first thought. The overall impression from all that hair and his devil-may-care appearance wasthat ofa youthful, carefree individual.

On closer inspection, Blue Eyes had some age on him. In my thirty-five-year-old estimation, he was a bit over thirty, but it was hard to tie down his exact age. The slight creases around his eyes, plus the depth to his gaze, told their own story.

“Dammit.” His attention went to the phone in his hand.

The elevator stopped, and a couple walked inside.

Where we stood, in opposite corners, didn't necessitate movement and the stall continued upward in silence. When the doors opened again, it was my turn to exit.

Blue Eyeswalked out behind me, but we went to opposite ends of the corridor. My thoughts left him when I slid the plastic card into the lock and entered my room.

A narrowpassageopened into a tiny living area, a no-frills bathroom, and a spacious bedroom. The furnishings were ultra-modern, and the sheet and drapes came from matching fabric in shades of cyan, hunter green, and teal. I shivered, as the sub-zero temperature hit me, then switched off the air-conditioner.

After turning on the television and flipping through the stations, I settled on a news channel. While unpacking, I hummed to a love song I’d heard on the radio earlier in the day.

On the bed, I spread the dress I was wearing to the reception. I didn't want to be over or underdressed, so I settled on a slinky, black number that complemented my curves and stopped at mid-thigh.

I'd traveled light with the intention of getting some shopping done, but I had enough clothing to get me through the week. Most of the sessions would probablybore me to tears since I wasn’t into the nuts and bolts of animation, but I had to put in an appearance and attend the meetings and workshops that pertained to the business side of things.

I wasn't looking forward to spending a week in Miami, not when Angel would be on midterm holiday from school once Ash Wednesday hit this week. Our operations at the office weren’t rigid, so if I was in Jamaica she could have spent part of the afternoons with me there.

While my job wasn't wildly exciting, it provided a good salary and my time was flexible. Primrose Goins, my boss, was a no-nonsense business woman but also soft-hearted when it came to family.

That thought was my cue to talk to my lifesaver, so Isat on the bed and dialed Mom’s number.

She picked up after a couple of rings. “You’re settled in your room as yet?”she asked.

“Yes, I’m about to get ready for the reception.”

Angel yelled ‘hello’ in the background, which brought a smile to my face.

“We’re okay here.It’spopcorn and a movie for us girls tonight.” Mom chuckled, then continued, “I’ll let you talk to Angel before she dislocates my arm to get the phone.”

“Hi, Mommy.” Angel’s chirpy tone unknotted the tension in my shoulders. Although she was happy staying with Mom, I worriedabout shortchanging herwhenever I had to travel.

“Hi, baby. I hear you and Grandma are having a party.”

“Yeah, we have popcorn and soda—oops. I mean fruit juice.”

While she nattered on, I made a note to remind Mom not to go overboard on the soda. Angel was persuasive and half the time,Mom couldn’t resist her wheedling when she wanted something.

I looked at my watch and stopped Angel’s chatter. “Baby, I’vegotta go now. Tell Mom I’ll talk to her in the morning.”

“Okay, we can talk about the movie when you call.”

“Sure thing, honey. Remember to brush your teeth before bed.”

“Grandma will help me.”

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