Page 31 of Pulse
“That’s really nice. I think about you, too, and hope you’re well.”
“We’ll get through this. I promise.” He takes a breath. “Take care, sweetheart. You have my assistant Frances’s number, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“If you need anything, call her. I may have to keep my distance, but I can make things happen.”
“Thank you. I will. Have a good day,” I say.
“You, too. Talk soon.”
“Goodbye.”
I collapse back into my chair and let out the deepest breath known to man. The movement settles my heartbeat a bit.
I take a moment to get myself together. Waking up in someone else’s house and being reminded that your personal space has been tainted sent me into another round of uneasiness. I’m less fearful than yesterday—I’ve accepted that Freddy’s to blame. But that doesn’t fix how exposed I feel, and I hope that feeling doesn’t linger long.
I just have to get through it.
Even if it takes boatloads of caffeine to do it.
My coffee is still hot when I take a quick sip and get started on my work. Nothing exploded or fell apart during the night, which always makes for an easier morning. I click on my personal email, hoping the detective remembered to send me the form I need to sign, and type in my username.I need to get this over and done with so I don’t have to think about it all day.
“Hey.”
I jump, looking toward the door. Troy stands with a mug in his hand and a curious look on his handsome face.
“Hi,” I say, letting my gaze linger on his exposed forearms thanks to his rolled-up sleeves. “I didn’t hear you knock.”
“Because I didn’t.”
I shake my head and go back to my computer. “I thought we discussed this.”
“We did. Theo knocks. I don’t.”
I scoff, typing in my password.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on with you?” he asks, sitting across from me.
“Nothing is going on with me.”
“You’re lying.”
Yes, I am. But I’m not discussing this with you.I try my password again. “You’re just mad that I made you wait too long last night for a response. Too bad. I was busy. Get over it.”
“I know something was going on last night, Doll.”
“What are you, some kind of seer now?”
He sips his drink, watching me over the brim with zero amusement.
“Fine. For the record, somethingwasgoing on,” I say. “My friend Morgan stopped by, and we were doing a little … investigation.”
“About what?”
I smile at him. “You know as well as I do that security issues are confidential.” I laugh at the look on his face. “Aw. That doesn’t feel as good when you’re on that side of things, does it?”
“It’s a little different when I’m asking about you and your friend, and you wanted me to give you the inside scoop on a pop star’s ex-boyfriend.”
