Page 43 of The Blind Date

Cedric shot me a knowing grin and placed the glass on the coffee table. “Thanks for the water.”

“Thanks for coming over so late to check on my boiler. I know you have work in the morning.”

"No problem, darling.” He was quick to dismiss it even though I could deduce that it had been a long day for him as well. If he was out for dinner with his colleagues at the same time as me, it had to be a long day in the office for him as well.

Cedric was done looking at my boiler, and he was finished drinking the water I had fetched him, yet he didn't get up to leave. Instead, he remained sitting on the coffee table, staring at me with an intense, indecipherable look in his eyes.

His gaze was strong and demanding, and I could do nothing but return it.

For the first time since I had met him, Cedric Barlowe wasn’t the annoying man that my parents kept pushing toward me. The smirk on his face was more welcomed than annoying, and surprisingly, regardless of how brief it was, I enjoyed his company while he was here. I even enjoyed him calling medarlingeven though it had really gotten under my skin when he first did it.

It was like I was seeing him in a new light.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Cedric finally murmured and moved to get up.

Despite the farewell greeting, he lingered for a few moments, just watching me until suddenly, he turned and let himself out of my apartment.

ChapterTen

As soon as the clock struck five, I was out the door. There was no way I was going to work late today as well.

At the current moment, I was sitting on the tube with my earbuds in, aimlessly bobbing my head as I listened to the lyrical bars spat by the one and only Jack Harlow, my musical flavour of the week.

When my phone buzzed with a text, and it momentarily quietened my music, I released a frustrated groan. Ignoring the strange look I received from the person next to me, I reached into my bag for my phone. My eyebrows furrowed together in confusion as I stared down at the message.

Unknown Number:

Where are you?

I’m waiting outside your apartment

Don’t tell me you forgot

Forgot? What did I forget about? And who was this unknown number texting me as if they knew me?

Saffron:

Who is this?

And how did you get my number?

Unknown Number:

Your mum gave it to me

Are you going to get home soon?

Or do you want me to come back later?

Why wouldn't this person tell me who they were?

Saffron:

Are you at my apartment right now?

Unknown Number:

Yes

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