Page 64 of Crash

When Colleen speaks next, all the air leaves my lungs. “He got here a few minutes after you left. He came right from the airport.”

I miss the hanger, and the coat falls from my hand, the sound of my keys reverberating against the hardwood.

“Really?” I ask, trying to sound casual, but my voice sounds foreign to my own ears.

Before Colleen can respond, the man who’s been dominating my thoughts for almost two weeks comes walking into the lobby. Just like every other time we’ve inhabited the same space, our eyes find each other immediately.

The first thing I notice is that he’s dressed casually. His light blue V-neck sweater shows off his broad shoulders and wide chest. He sticks both hands in his pockets, opens his mouth to speak, but the long-legged Victoria jumps from her seat and throws her arms around his neck, pressing her perfect body into his.

“Lucky!” she practically screeches. My stomach drops at the nickname she has for him. Lucky? Who is she to call my man Lucky? He breaks our gaze, but I don’t miss the fact that he removes her arms from around his neck and takes a step back. That action should have made me feel better, but all I feel is a burning sensation in my chest and the hardening of my stomach.

Without even realizing it, I take two steps towards them, but before I can reach my target, they walk away as Luke practically drags her towards his office.

“Who was that?” I ask, my voice louder than normal.

“I’ve never seen her before, but did you get a look at her? That bitch is gorgeous. Of course, that’s the type of woman Luke would be with.” Colleen talks some more, but I tune her out as I nearly break my neck to follow them into his office with my eyes. As soon as they turn the corner, I can no longer see or hear them.

“You think they’re together?” I ask. When would he have had the time? He was away after Christmas and had gone to a funeral. If there is one thing I know about the Clarks, it’s that they are all about the family. There is no way he would have left to go meet women. No, this blonde Barbie must be from his past.

“Well, if not, they will be. He was surprised when I told him she was here, though. I had to repeat her name like three times.”

I wave Colleen off as I reach for my bottle of water, my mouth suddenly going dry. My hands shake as I set the bottle down. I put my head in both hands to stave off a sudden onset of nausea.

Lucas Clark has a type. Victoria Palmer and Zoey could pass as sisters with their long blond hair and long legs. Unlike Zoey, who is an airhead, though, Victoria Palmer looks like the picture of a calculating woman.

I spend the next hour thinking about the past two weeks, especially the words Sandy spoke to me on Christmas day. I call Colleen and ask her to take over at the receptionists’ desk. When she arrives, I stand up, knowing exactly what I need to do.

CHAPTER 36

LUKE

Talk about the best-laid plans. After leaving the AT&T store, I slam the door of my car a bit more forcefully than I normally would. Of all the ways I envisioned today, Tori showing up at my job did not even make the top one hundred.

In fact, I don’t remember the last time I even thought of Tori, but there she was.

I ran out of my office like the hounds of hell were after me as soon as Colleen called, but because the gods hate me, Vivi was already back from lunch. I didn’t miss the confusion and hurt in her eyes at first, quickly followed by anger, which is why I got Tori the hell out of the lobby before Vivi could approach.

Despite the clusterfuck of an hour ago, the possessive look in Vivi’s eyes spurred something in me. She looked at me like I was hers, and when Tori touched me, she was livid.

It’s been over five days since Travis threw my phone in the toilet. With the funeral and everything happening, I had no time to go buy a new one. That means it’s been over five days since I heard her voice.

Once the new phone beeps to life, I scroll through my messages.

“Hey, Luke. Happy New Year. I really miss you, and I think I made the biggest mistake of my life at your parents’ party. Call me.”

“Hey, Luke. Just called to hear your voice. Miss you.”

“Hi, Luke. I forgot to say how sorry I am about your cousin’s wife. I wish I could be there with you. I miss you.”

That was the last message. I listen to the messages again as I pull into the parking lot.

God, I’ve missed her too. It was torture not answering her calls when I had a working phone, but I wanted her to miss me. I wanted her to experience her life without me. If she didn’t want to make amends, then I’d have my answer, but it went on for too long. Instead of taking a taxi home from the airport, I needed to see her first. So, I came right to the office. Now, I have the added complication of Tori showing up.

“Fuck you, Tori Palmer,” I say out loud as I walk inside the building through the side door.

I slam the door of my office and start scrolling through my new phone, relieved to find all my old pictures intact. I put the phone on the charger and pick up my office phone to call Vivi to ask her into my office, but before I can dial her extension, my office door comes flying open. She slams the door behind her and approaches my desk.

Her hands are on her hips as she crosses the office in a few quick steps. I’ve missed her wild mane, but she has it in a side French braid today.

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