Page 36 of Just Another Chance

Last night, after doing everything in my power to get her to stay at the loft and spend the night in my arms– short of tying her to my bed– she got dressed and was on her way out the door when I brought my concerns up.

“Is there something I should know?” I asked her.

She abruptly stopped, turned and I couldn’t miss the fleeting look of guilt that crossed her face. “What do you mean?”

“You’re always running out on me after sex. I’m starting to feel used.”

I was joking, of course, but she didn’t laugh. Neither did I.

“Tanner, I’m sorry. I have to get home because, um…”

And, for the first time, she didn’t have an excuse all prepared. I’m fairly good at detecting bullshit and last night, Addie was full of it. So, all day, I’ve been driving myself insane with curiosity and wondering what in the world is she hiding?

The more I think about it, the crazier things my imagination conjures up. It’s to the point now where I’m picturing a husband or some significant other and I know that’s ridiculous. Even so, I want answers and if Addie refuses to give them to me then I’m determined to find out myself.

I lost two years with this woman and I’m not about to let anything else come between us. Especially some stupid secret.

So, I do the only thing I can do; I get in my car and drive over. She’s not expecting me and I’m going to take her by complete surprise which may not be a good thing. But, at this point, I don’t care. I need to know the truth.

I’m desperate for it.

I park my Mercedes down the street and walk up to her building, feet slightly dragging.This is it. I’m going to find out what she’s hiding and that could be a very bad thing. It could break the fragile trust between us.

The building’s front door just happens to open as a tenant walks out.Perfect timing.I grab the door before it can close and lock, then walk up the stairs to the second floor. She did mention being upstairs, but I’m not sure what apartment is hers.

Pulling my phone out, I call her. A faint ringing comes from the apartment at the end of the hallway, and I walk toward it, heart in my throat. I’m not doing anything wrong, but suddenly I feel like I’m being sneaky– trying to catch her in the act of something bad.

“Hi,” she says, sounding a little breathless.

“Hey. What’re you doing?” I ask. I stop in front of her door and can hear her voice through the thin walls.

“Oh, um, nothing. Just cleaning up. What’re you doing?”

“Thinking about you.”

“Oh, really?” she says in a flirty voice.

“Yep. After you left earlier, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. So, I hope you don’t mind that I’m standing outside your door right now.”

Silence. Then I hear a swift intake of breath.

“Addie?”

“You’re here? Right now?” she whispers.

I can hear her moving around inside of her apartment. What’s she doing? Hiding something from me before she lets me inside? God, I hate the suspicion filling me and it’s driving me absolutely bonkers.

“Yeah, I hope that’s okay,” I say, trying to keep my voice neutral. “Come let me in.”

“Okay. Hang on. Be there in a sec.”

She hangs up and I wait for another minute for her to finish whatever she’s doing and then the door slowly opens. Her dark eyes meet mine and she looks…nervous. Hell, more than that. She looks scared out of her mind.

What the hell is going on?I wonder.

“C’mon in,” she says and pushes the door open all the way.

I walk in, not exactly sure what to expect, but it’s a cozy, little place. A lot like her last apartment, actually. It’s also filled with flowers– literally on every surface– and that makes me smile. I’m never going to stop buying them for her.

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