Page 89 of Catch You

I stare at the four little letters in red, and confusion washes through me.

Paid.

“But how? I don’t have that kind of money. If I did, I’d have sorted this out weeks ago.”

“I don’t know. There’s no name attached.”

I sit back in the chair and let his words register in my brain.

My account’s been paid.

But no one knew about this.

No one would…

Unless they’ve seen the letter.

22

HARLOW

The second I get in the building, I pull my cell out and find the number for the letting agent. I have no doubts this time as I connect the call and put my cell to my ear.

It rings a couple of times before someone answers. My heart hammers in my chest, but I know I’m doing the right thing.

“Hi, I’d like to make a payment on an account,” I say to the cheery woman on the other end.

“Okay, great. Do you have any of the account details?”

“Um, no. I have the address of the apartment in question, if that helps.”

“Sure.”

Between us, we eventually figure it out, although she’s very professional and doesn’t divulge any of Corey’s information. By the time I hang up, all I know is how much in rent arrears he was. No longer. I’ve secured him a home and hopefully taken a weight off his mind for a while.

Something inside me aches to do more, to turn that empty and cold apartment into a home, but I know I might have already overstepped. He could either be really grateful for this, or really furious. Only time will tell, but I fear doing any more will definitely push him into the latter category. I might notknow him all that well yet, but I know he won’t take too kindly to charity—not that that’s what this is. I’m just helping a friend in need. He’s more than welcome to pay me back if he feels the need.

Feeling better about myself and my good deed for the day, I walk through to my office with a smile playing on my lips. It doesn’t go unnoticed by my colleagues.

After dropping my purse at my desk, I head for a coffee.

“Good morning,” Reese sings from where she’s waiting for the machine.

“Morning.”

She narrows her eyes at me suspiciously. “There’s something different about you.”

I’m not naive enough to think that Brooke hasn’t already filled her in.

“Oh yeah? How so?”

“There’s a twinkle in your eye. He’s doing good things for you.”

I bark a laugh. “It could certainly be described that way.”

“From what I’ve heard, that would be putting it lightly.”

“Fucking Brooke,” I mutter, much to her amusement. “Is there anything she hasn’t told you?”