Page 28 of Bossy Wicked Prince
A grizzled man with a thick black beard limps toward me. He’s wearing a stained Blue Jays sweatshirt and track pants falling down from his thin hips. He holds out my cell phone.
“This fell out of your purse.”
When he’s close enough to pass it to me, I realize that I recognize his gap-toothed smile.
“Thank you! Your name’s Rupert, right? I’m Cat—from the shelter.”
“That’s right. I remember you. It’s good to see you again, young lady.” Rupert pats my arm fondly, before reaching back up to pull up his oversized pants.
He’s lost a lot of weight, that’s why I didn’t recognize him immediately. He hasn’t been by the shelter in months. I wonder if he’s been sick, or even in the hospital.
“How are you? Have you been well?” I ask gently, trying keep my balance as those last couple tequila shots really hit me.
He chuckles. “Oh, you know. I’m alright. Still out here.”
“Why haven’t you been by the shelter?”
“I, uh, I had an issue with someone else who goes there.” He looks at the ground. “Thought it might be best to stay away for a while.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing we can’t work out. You deserve a proper bed and some real food, Rupert. Don’t make me worry about you.”
My tone is playful, but the truth is, Iamworried about him. His skin looks waxy and his dark brown eyes are sunken. He obviously hasn’t had a place to shower and wash his clothes, and he’s leaning heavily on his right leg. Looking at him reminds me of Dad before the end.
Rupert pats my arm again. “Oh, alright. I’ll come by the shelter to visit you. For now, let me give you a walk home. A young lady shouldn’t be out by herself this late.”
“Oh, you’re sweet! But I’m not going far. I’m actually staying here tonight.” I gesture to the building behind us.
He whistles. “Woo-ee! Did you move in here, sweetheart?”
“No, I’m just staying for the night. With a…a friend.”
“A friend,” he repeats skeptically. “You sure that’s a good idea? I don’t trust those rich bastards in these cement towers. Not sure you should, either.”
His protectiveness makes me smile. “I can look out for myself, Rupert. You don’t worry about me, and I won’t worry about you. Okay?”
He sighs. “Okay. But you be careful, promise?”
“I will. Now I better see you at the shelter soon. I don’t want to have to hunt you down.”
Rupert smiles and puts up his hands in mock defense. “I’ll be there.”
With a final wave, I head back into the building. I feel a twinge of guilt walking into the heated luxury lobby with Rupert still out on the street. Here I am, in the lap of luxury while someone equally deserving is out in the chilly fall air.
I swipe my card in front of the elevator, and the doors open immediately. The timing just adds to the feeling that I’ve gotten a bittoolucky the past few days. The new job, Nate letting me stay at his place, my building getting bought out by better landlords…it all feels too good to be true. Which means I’m past due for a bad surprise.
When I walk through the doors open into Nate’s apartment, I’m definitely greeted by a surprise, but nothing about it looks bad.
Nate’s walking out of the kitchen, drinking orange juice right from the bottle. His dark hair glistens in the light, damp from the shower.
And all he’s wearing is a towel slung low around his waist.
9
NATE
Cat stands frozen in the entryway, her eyes glued to my bath towel.
“Oh my god,” she whispers. “You’re—sorry, I—well, it’s your house, but, uh…”
