Page 27 of Triplet Babies for the Billionaire
I don’t even say anything. Without a second thought, I hang up, my fingers trembling on the receiver. I feel cold suddenly, the sound of his voice still hanging in the air.
Amy’s working at the bar nearby, and she immediately notices the shift in my expression. I don’t even have to say anything.
She can see it.
She’s always been able to see when something’s wrong.
She looks at me, her eyebrows furrowed, but I quickly turn back to the drinks, trying to hide the sickness in my stomach.
I return to my side of the bar, trying to shake off the aftereffects of that call, but it’s impossible. I’m still thinking about Zack, his voice on the phone like a taunting ghost from the past. I try to focus on the orders in front of me. Three Old Fashioneds. Easy enough. I grab the ingredients, trying to block out the thoughts swirling in my head.
Amy rounds the bar and leans in close, her voice a whisper. “What happened? Who was that on the phone?”
I glance up at her, and she knows instantly that something’s off. I don’t want to tell her, but the words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them. “Zack.”
Amy’s eyes widen, her mouth hanging open in surprise. “Hecalled the hotel?” she asks, her voice full of disbelief. She leans in closer, her curiosity piqued. “What did he want?”
I feel my stomach churn again. “I don’t know. He just...said my name, like a question. Like he was surprised to get me. But I recognized his voice immediately. It was like he wasn’t expecting to be put through to me.”
Amy looks disgusted, shaking her head. “That’s so creepy. What a jerk. Are you going to report him? Tell Noah? He’s gotta do something about this.”
I pause, my hand hovering over the glass I’m about to pour. “I don’t know,” I say quietly. “Isn’t that a bit too much? I don’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
Amy presses her lips together, looking at me like I’m out of my mind. “Blossom, he’s stalking you. Calling the hotel? That’ssocrossing a line. Youhaveto tell Noah.”
I shake my head, not wanting to drag Noah into my mess. “I don’t want to bother him with this. It’s...my problem.”
Amy’s gaze softens, but she still looks concerned. “You should, though. You don’t have to handle this on your own.”
I look away, trying to keep my focus on the job, but my mind is spinning. The thought of Zack keeps circling, and I feel nauseous again.
As the night drags on, Amy keeps asking me questions about Zack, but I try to stay focused on the customers. I can’t let myself get distracted, but every time my phone buzzes with a text from him, I feel my heart race, the fear rising in my chest.
He’s relentless. He keeps texting, keeps calling, and every message is more insistent than the last. It’s like he’s obsessed. He won’t let me go.
I take a deep breath as I mix another round of drinks, trying to push the anxiety away. Just then, I hear the unmistakable sound of the door opening again, and my heart skips a beat.
Noah walks in, his presence filling the room, and for a split second, all the chaos around me fades away. My gaze locks with his, and despite everything that’s going on, a small part of me feels a little lighter.
He nods toward the bar, and I give him a smile as I serve another drink. But my stomach twists, and I can’t help but feel like everything is teetering on the edge. Everything is starting to fall apart, and I don’t know how much longer I can keep it together.
Noah notices my unease but doesn’t say anything as he takes a seat at the bar, his eyes still on me. I don’t want him to know what’s going on with Zack, but I know it’s only a matter of time before he figures it out.
I’m on my break, sitting on the small bench out back of the hotel. The city is still buzzing, but I need a moment of quiet. Ipull out my phone, checking the screen, and immediately feel my heart sink.
There are several messages from Zack, the kind of texts I’ve been trying to ignore.
>> Blossom, we need to talk. I know things ended badly, but I’m here now. Just call me, please. We can meet up and sort everything out.
The messages keep coming, pleading, desperate, and I feel the sick, familiar weight of dread settle in my stomach. Why is he even here? He’s supposed to be back in Jersey, trying to move on with his life. What the hell is he doing here, in the city?
I scroll through the messages, the weight of each word pulling me under. How did he even know I was working here? Did someone tell him I was in New York? The thought makes my stomach churn. I don’t want anything to do with him anymore.
Immediately, I swipe his number to block it.
I’m not about to let him ruin this for me.
I ignore his calls, shoving the phone back into my pocket with a heavy sigh. This was the last thing I needed. It’s the last thing I wanted to deal with right now.
