Page 20 of Jilted

Wilder’s mouth spread into a cocky grin. A kid stood next to him. He had the same turquoise eyes and dark lashes. Theyhadto be related.

I squinted. “Why are you here?” It came out snippy, and his grin grew wider.

“Good to see you, too, Cupcake.”

The elevator was packed with people—people I was now holding up by not moving the rest of the way into the car. And everyone was staring at me. So I forced myself to take a spot near one wall. My cheeks felt warm. I was grateful elevator etiquette meant I could turn around and stare straight ahead without having to look at him. I jutted my chin, attempting to look bolder than I felt, and stared up at the numbers, pretending he wasn’t less than a foot away.

But damn, I couldn’t pretend I had no sense of smell. He smelledreally, reallygood, definitely the same cologne he’d worn at the wedding two weeks ago. And my body was doing this weird, tingly-all-over thing. We stopped at the next floor, and I had to step out so two people could get off.

As I got back on, the kid watched me as intently as the man standing next to him. “Are you famous or something?” he asked.

I turned to make sure the kid was talking to me. “No, why?”

“I was going to ask for a selfie, if you were.”

I smiled. “Sorry to disappoint.”

He shrugged and nodded toward Wilder. “I thought you were famous because he was looking at a bunch of pictures of you on his computer.”

I raised a brow to Wilder.

“Theweddingpictures for the magazine.”

The kid chimed in again. “I didn’t see any pictures of a bride. You were zoomed in on her.”

Wilder slapped a hand over the kid’s mouth. “It’s considered rude in America to talk while in a full lift.”

Everyone in the elevator car chuckled. The next stop was the executive floor, and Wilder saidexcuse me,so I stepped out for him and the boy to get off.

He nodded as he passed. “Have a good day. Maybe I’ll see you around later.”

The kid snort-laughed. “That means you’re definitely gonna see him. I think he’s in love.”

“Hey, Peaty. I need a favor.”

I hit the button to put my cell on speakerphone so I could finish sealing a box at my desk. “What’s up, Will?”

“One of the guys at the firehouse was on his way in, but his wife called to say her water broke. So I have to stay. Do you think you could cover me at Carrick’s again tonight?”

“Yeah, sure. No problem.”

“Can you get there by six? The day-shift guy has to leave by sixon Wednesday. His wife’s a nurse and works nights, and he can’t be late because they have a baby at home. Dad’s at the bar today, but you know how that goes…”

I looked at the time on my computer. That gave me a little over an hour to run home, change, and get downtown. “I’ll do my best.”

“Thanks, sis. I owe you.”

“I’ll add it to the pile of other favors you owe me.”

After I hung up, I ran the box down to the shipping-and-receiving department and rushed back to my office to pack up for the day. I turned around to unplug my laptop, and when I faced the desk again, Wilder stood in my doorway.

I jumped. “You scared the crap out of me.”

“Sorry.” He grinned, not looking sorry at all.

“What are you doing in New York? The next wedding isn’t until next weekend.”

“I had some business to take care of. I’m in town until tomorrow, and then back a few days later.”

---