Page 20 of Breakaway Hearts

“Shit.” Callie sighs. “Well, maybe the landlord willhaveto fix it now.”

“What do you mean?”

She scrunches up her nose, peering through the glass door into the interior. “That light has been flickering for weeks now. And there’s some kind of leak in the ceiling or something, because there’s a little puddle of water that keeps reappearing in the entryway too.”

“What the fuck?” I scowl, glancing back at the large apartment building as we make our way to my car. “And the landlord hasn’t fixed it?”

“No. I’ve messaged him about it a few times, and he keeps promising he’ll do something, but it never gets taken care of.”

Protective irritation fills me, and I make a sound under my breath as I open the car door for her.

“What?” she asks, sliding into the passenger seat. I walk around the Porsche and fold myself into the driver’s seat, shaking my head.

“We’re moving you out of there,” I say without thinking. “This place sucks.”

“It’s not that bad. I know some parts of it aren’t great, but—”

“How long has that water been there?”

Callie reaches up to toy with one of her earrings, making a face. “I don’t know. It kind of comes and goes.”

“That doesn’t make it better,” I insist, pulling out my phone. “Give me your landlord’s number. I’m going to call him.”

“Reese, no—”

“This isn’t a fake boyfriend thing.” I hold out my phone so she can input the number, but she doesn’t take it. “This is a friend thing. I want you to live somewhere safe. Not in this shit hole, okay?”

She purses her lips and puts her hand on my phone, lowering it onto the armrest between us. “It’s okay,” she says softly. “I’ll get on him about it, alright? I’m a big girl. I’ll take care of it.” She squeezes my hand. “But thank you. I know I can always count on you.”

I hesitate for a moment. I know Callie can take care of herself, but I hate the idea of some fuckhead mismanaging the building and ignoring her maintenance requests. I’m not going to just drop it, but I decide to let it go for now. We’ve got a long night ahead of us, and I don’t want her to feel awkward or uncomfortable right before we head to the gala.

“Of course you can count on me,” I say as I turn the key in the ignition. “But you’ll give me his number if he doesn’t get back to you? Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Good.” I speed off into the night, and we arrive at the event space only a few minutes late, much to Callie’s chagrin.

“Don’t worry,” I assure her as I guide her into the building, one hand on her lower back. “These things never actually start on time. I bet half the team isn’t even here yet. Fashionably late and all that.”

“Okay.”

She nods, still looking a bit anxious, and I rub my thumb over the curve of her lower back, trying to soothe her. We follow signs toward the main hall, which has been elegantly decorated and filled with tables.

Noah, Theo, Maxim, Owen, and Grant sit at a large, round table halfway across the space, along with Margo and a few other members of our team. Sawyer isn’t here, and I have a feeling he won’t make it. He often bails on things like this so that he can spend more time with Jake.

The team waves us over, and as we start to make our way toward them, Callie suddenly stiffens.

“Sienna’s here,” she whispers without looking at me. “She’s looking at us.”

“Really?” I keep my gaze on the team table, still resting a firm hand on Callie’s back. My pulse spikes a little at the thought of Sienna watching the two of us.

Maybe this plan, as crazy as it is, will actually work. I mean, who wouldn’t be jealous, seeing me and Callie walk in together? I bet every guy in the place wishes he were me right now. She looks fucking stunning, ethereal and regal as a queen.

“Hey, look who decided to show up.” Theo lifts his chin in greeting as we reach the table, his dimple popping as he grins. “You look great, Callie. Who’s this bum you brought with you?”

I roll my eyes as everyone laughs, pulling her closer against my side. His teasing doesn’t bother me at all, and I love that the team knows Callie well enough to banter with her. She’s comfortable with all of them, and they treat her like older brothers would.

“Take a seat,” Noah tells us, but then his brows furrow as he glances around the table.

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