Refusing to believe what he was seeing, he strode to her desk. Clearly labeled keys to the fireproof filing cabinet and the office were on top, and she’d left a pile of papers outlining her job responsibilities along with a list of helpful tips for the person who filled her position.
She’d quit?
Left the company as well as him?
Frost shook his head, unable to comprehend that she’d walked out of his life forever.
Aviana’s warning echoed in his head. Kaylee would leave of her own volition. And she had.
Just like Greta had done.
Filled with hot anguish, he slammed his hand on the piece of paper, wadded it into a ball, and threw it at a wall. “God fucking damn it to hell!”
“You’re a difficult man to find.”
He pivoted, then blinked at his grandmother. What the hell was she doing here? “This is a bad time.”
“Is it?”
She approached, carrying two large cups of to-go coffee. “Thought you might need this. There’s a cart in the lobby, lots of pastries, and they’re not doing a lot of business.”
The act struck him; Kaylee would have done the exact same thing.
“I’ve tried to call you a couple of times, but you’ve been on Do Not Disturb. Jolly told me you were at work.”
“I’m going to reprogram her. Already reached out to Bonds.”
“Mmm.” After offering the coffee, she presented her cheek for her customary kiss.
Struggling to tame the adrenaline that thumped through him, he attempted to be civil. After all, he’d been raised that way.
Without an invitation, she took a seat, seemingly unperturbed by his agitation. “Where are all your employees?”
“Kaylee convinced me to give them the time off.” Which in retrospect was ridiculous.
“Glad to hear it. Your grandfather used to do the same.”
Did he?
“And Kaylee?”
He dropped into her chair.
“My dear Evan. You look like hell. No sleep? Too much whiskey?”
Not knowing where to begin, he didn’t respond.
“Do you want to tell me where your runaway bride is?”
He exhaled and took a drink before going for brutal honesty. “She’s not my wife.”
“I see.” Unruffled, she regarded him.
“You don’t seem surprised.”
“Not in the least.”
He blinked. For the third time since he walked through the door, he couldn’t comprehend the events around him.