Page 25 of Heartless

“My shoes,” I tossed over my shoulder.

“That’s full of shoes? How many pairs do you own?”

“Not nearly enough.”

An amused chuckle followed my words. The man actually chuckled. In my presence. Because of something I had said.

I stopped a few steps short from the exit and stared at him for a moment. He was attractive even with his everyday scowl, but something as simple as a smile made him jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

His usual annoyance with me was gone for the first time, and I couldn’t understand why or what had replaced it.

But before I could dwell on it, he asked, “So? Where are you off to?”

I didn’t want to say anything about the architect, so I resorted to pissing him off in order to get rid of him faster.

“Would you move the box to my room? Leave it wherever.”

“Oh, of course. Would you like me to unpack it for you too? I have nothing better to do with my day.”

“No, thank you. I will take care of it later.” His eyes darkened, and I knew I was halfway there, so I pressed on. “I just don’t want your staff members alone in my room, sniffing my underwear or something.”

“My staff would never…”

I shot a quick glance at my phone and cut him off. “I should just buy new underwear.”

“You can certainly afford it with the salary I’m paying you.”

“True,” I said with a smile and turned my back on him. “Have a nice day, boss.”

Three hours later, I returned to The Gem with a promise of a project for approval by the end of the month. Since it was mid-October, I figured Parker had enough time to come to the right conclusion and agree to change the gardens.

I walked past Mel, who pretended not to notice me, eager to open the box and check if my neighbor, Mrs. Green, had put everything I asked her to in it. Except my box wasn’t where it was supposed to be.

I stormed back to the lobby and stopped in front of Melany, ready to raise hell.

“Where is my box?”

Both her brows shot up. “In your room?”

“It’s not there.”

“Are you sure?”

The look I gave her made her wince. “I’ll check.” She made a call while I waited in front of the reception desk. “It’s in the Blue Diamond. Mr. Wilson’s orders.”

I shook my head, not at all impressed. Is that all he could come up with? Move my shoes to a villa instead of my room?

“Give me a card for the Blue Diamond.”

“I will not.” Mel’s outrage at my request surprised me.

“Melany, I’m not in the mood to play games with you. Give me the card. I will move my box and return the card immediately. It’s a two-minute job.”

“No one enters the Blue Diamond without Mr. Wilson’s explicit order.”

“Is that so?”

I stepped away from her and dialed Parker. He answered on the second ring.

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