Page 34 of Tops
I guess it wouldn’t hurt to put it on after my shower and see how it goes. Tanner would just end up working all day, anyway. He would never even see me in his outfit. I grabbed the dress as I headed into the bathroom. At least I could get cleaned up if I did see him or the others today.
After a long hot shower, I admitted I felt more like a human and less like a cave dweller. The dress was surprisingly comfortable despite being tighter in my chest than I typically wore. I didn’t have much in the way of breasts, but they looked at least perkier in this scoop neckline. Wearing something like this while standing next to Hannah would still have the same effect as me wearing a baggy shirt.
I fell in love with the dress when I realized it had pockets.
I paced back and forth across my floor, unsure of what to do now that I was cleaned up. The plan was to continue working on the last of my classwork, but I didn’t feel like doing that. There was a rush that pulsed inside of me now that I was conscious of how I looked. I felt like getting out of here, at least enjoying some time when I looked presentable.
My phone sat on my bedside table, the screen black. But I already knew what I would see when I turned it on.
There would be no missed calls or messages. No one looking to hang out or even text with me. I didn’t have anywhere to go, but more than that, I didn’t have anyone to go with. Maybe I could message Nik, and he could come and break me out of here for a while. Plus, that would give us a chance to talk.
When I checked my phone, I was surprised to see I was wrong. There were several missed text messages from Colten on the secure app.
Colten:Message me once you get this.
Colten:I need to go over security protocols.
Colten:It’s after eleven. Are you ignoring me?
Colten:Tanner said you were just eating breakfast. I still need you to message me so we can discuss new security protocols, particularly after last night.
I wasn’t sure if he was referencing my escape to Tanner’s office or the agreement I made with Nik. Tanner’s earlier tone suggested that he knew movie night with Nik was less than innocent. Considering I had agreed to be with the others, I assumed Nik would let them know.
I typed back a quick reply, seeing that the last message was received almost half an hour ago.
Nessa:Sorry, it was a late night. Just saw your messages.
I hit send, feeling like I owed a bigger apology than that, but I wasn’t sure how to word it.
Sorry. Didn’t know if you were an asshat or not, so I got snippy with you. Turns out you weren’t really an asshat, which makes me the asshat. I’m sorry.
That didn’t exactly feel like the right way of saying it, but that was the only sentence my mind seemed to create on the matter. Asshat was used entirely too much for that message to fly.
Little dots at the bottom of the screen jumped in a rhythmic dance, letting me know he was replying. I watched them, noting when they would pause and resume.
Colten:Mike is coming to bring you to my office.
Nessa:Can’t it be anyone else? Mike and I do not exactly get along.
I considered messaging Nik to see if he would be willing to take me to Colten’s office, but I didn’t even know where it was. It could be here in this building like Tanner. I would hate to ask Nik to come all the way to walk me to another part of this building.
Colten:Mike is the most qualified and available.
I sighed as I typed out that it would be fine. My stomach churned and then growled in protest since I had eaten so little earlier. The anxiety that filled me now made the thought of eating physically unappealing. Still, the little sounds coming from me argued otherwise. I would have to sit in dread waiting for someone I didn’t like to take me to a place I had never been.
Everything’s fine. Don’t mind me as I wait in a room on fire.
Mike must have taken his time, knowing how badly it bothered me. Not that he knew me well enough to know that, but my mind imagined that was something he would do as I downed some of my meds. My heart was no longer hammering in my chest as I felt the artificial calm flooding my veins when he arrived.
His knock was firm but not as forceful as Nik’s police knock. This was stern, but respectful in a way. I threw on a long black coat I found in the closet when I searched for shoes and grabbed my purse before opening the door. Mike waited patiently on the other side.
He still looked the same as the day when I tumbled into Tanner’s office. His hair was dark and cut extremely short, with some streaks of gray in his neat beard. Despite his age, he still held onto a muscular frame. Looking at his sleeves made me think he must have them custom-made just to fit over his arms. It was also comforting to see his scowl had not changed either, as he stood with his arms crossed over his chest while he waited for me. Like it hadn’t been him taking his sweet time getting here in the first place.
“This way, Miss Harlow,” he said as I stepped into the hallway, and he immediately started walking. Trying to avoid getting the ends of my long coat stuck in my bedroom door, I hurried to shut it and catch up to Mike before I lost sight of him. They should get more lights in this place; that way, it would look less like a dungeon.
Mike made his way toward the garage, but it wasn’t until he headed for a black car that I knew Colten’s office was in a different building. The ride was peaceful as I stared out the window, enjoying the sun. The city’s noise seemed obnoxiously loud after the quiet of Bottoms, but the light was something I missed. I would have to spend more of my days on the roof.
We pulled up in front of a large building made almost entirely of glass. It towered into the sky along with the neighboring buildings, like large accusing fingers pointed toward the heavens, blocking the view. I didn’t think God could even see into the hearts of cities. It made sense since his influence was missing here.
