Page 38 of Love Letter Lost
“I think that should be part of the plan. But I was thinking of something more.”
At this point, we’d reached his car. He held my door open and I got in and settled my bag on my lap, the moment alone giving me a chance to ponder what he was saying. He deposited the bag with the scarves in the back seat before climbing in and starting the car.
“More as in what?”
“More as in more than just food.” Ridge pulled out of the parking lot and began driving in the direction of my condo.
“We could watch another movie.” Even as I said it, I knew that would be a mistake. I didn’t think I could handle hours of sitting next to Ridge with nothing to distract us. Too much more time at my apartment and I’d be happy to sell to Milton Corp just to escape the memories that would haunt me once Ridge was gone.
“Pass. We’ve done a lot of sitting lately. And I’m guessing we’ll do more when we work on the centerpieces later.” Ridge grew quiet for a moment, and I could tell from his pinched eyebrows that he was trying to think of something else to do. “How do you feel about going for a hike?”
I gestured down at my outfit. I’d worn my best jeans, a flowy top, and sandals. “I’m not dressed for hiking.”
“But you can change.”
I hesitated a moment. It had been a while since I’d been hiking, and time in nature sounded nice.
“Are you sure? We still have a lot of work to do.” I tried one more half-hearted argument against it.
“I’m sure. We need some mountain air!”
I gave in, and Ridge drove to my apartment, following me inside and sitting on the couch. We both ate a snack before I slipped into my room to change. I quickly grabbed a t-shirt, tennis shoes, and shorts, changing in record time. Getting up into the mountains would be fun, and my body longed for the chance to stretch and move. I told myself that exercise was the only thing my body longed for and not the attractive guy coming with me.
I stepped into the living room to find Audrey and Ridge talking on the couch, Ruby snuggled on Audrey’s lap.
“Hey. I didn’t know you were home.”
Audrey shrugged. “I just got here. I’ve been working late the last few days, so my boss said I could leave early.”
“What are you up to the rest of today?” I asked, realizing that I might not have to worry about getting too close to Ridge after all. If Audrey came with us on our hike, I’d have a built in Ridge buffer.
“Undecided. Probably some grocery shopping and maybe a bit of reading. Though I noticed a few more flyers had materialized, so I was thinking about helping them make their way to the trash.”
I groaned. How had I missed the bright slips of paper waiting on the cars outside? “Of course there are more.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Ridge’s eyebrows pushed together as he glanced back and forth between us, trying to follow the conversation.
“The new apartment complex down the street keeps trying to poach Mallory’s tenants.” Audrey waved her hand towards the parking lot.
“Is that allowed?” Ridge asked.
“No, but who’s going to stop them? I’ve tried contacting the city, but I keep getting the runaround.” I shrugged, slumping onto the other couch. “If this keeps up, we’ll lose tenants and my dad will sell out for sure.” My stomach clenched at the thought. All my money spent in revitalizing and updating this place would be gone, and I’d be back to square one. Dad and I had an agreement that everything I invested in renovating would go towards my efforts to buy the place, but what would that mean if he sold? I could feel my home slipping through my fingers the more Milton Corp pushed him to sell. Flipping properties was what Dad did. Why should this apartment building be any different?
Silence descended on the room as we became lost in our thoughts. A part of me wanted to shout at Ridge, pointing an accusatory finger and exclaiming that this was his girlfriend’s fault, but I knew it wouldn’t do any good. He had nothing to do with the development, even if he’d soon be interning for the enemy.
“I guess we’ll be throwing away flyers before our hike.” I stood up from the couch and made my way toward the door. I refused to dwell on the what ifs.
“Hiking will be fun!” Audrey latched onto the positive in my pronouncement.
“Want to come?” My eyes widened, trying to convey how badly I wanted Audrey to join us.
“I don’t know…” Audrey trailed off, disregarding my pleading look. “I need to start apartment hunting, in case your dad decides to sell.”
I flinched at her words, praying that she wouldn’t have to move. I knew both Chloe and Audrey would have to find somewhere else to live, but I couldn’t stand the thought of losing my roommates.
“We don’t have to go hiking.” Ridge joined in my crusade to convince Audrey to come along. “I’m open to suggestions. We could try something different, like going to an art museum. Or there’s always bowling.”
I inhaled sharply at the word “bowling,” coughing and sputtering as I tried to regain my composure.
