Page 22 of Fall Apart

“Hey, Hannah.” She looks back over her shoulder at me, topping off my nitro cold brew. “I know this is a long shot, but have you seen a fancy little blonde thing coming in?”

She looks away from me at my drink again, shaking her head before coming to the counter. “You’re going to need to be a bit more specific. This is a bougie tourist ski town, there are lots of fancy little blondes.”

This time I’m the one laughing. “Fair enough. Let’s see.” I tap my finger against my lips looking up at the ceiling. “She’s been in town a couple weeks. She’s pint sized, probably gets something absurdly girly. From Ohio, always has a ponytail, striking blue eyes.” I hum to myself for a second before piling on with this ridiculous description. “Drives a white Bronco with pink wheels. Oh, and the name’s Lizzy. Is that specific enough?”

She quirks an eyebrow and cocks her head, grinning at me. “Oh yeah, she has been in. Friend of yours?”

Friend. I wouldn’t go that far. “Family friend. I was going to grab a coffee for her. What’s her order?”

“She’s been getting nitros like you for the last week.” After a second, she laughs to herself.

“Oh out with it. What’s so funny?” I prod Hannah.

“You two don’t just have the same coffee order, you have the same taste in books.” She points down at the book on the counter. “She picked that one up yesterday.”

Now that gets my attention. Oh, this is too good.

“Hannah, you literally just made my day.” I can’t help the shit eating grin that’s spread across my face. I’m going to have too much fun with that little bit of info. I look at the chalkboard menu on the back wall. “Add a chocolate croissant, and I think I need two more drinks.”

CHAPTER 12

LIZZY

CLOCKWORK

Tuesday morning rollsaround and much to myverypleasant surprise, it’s eight o‘clock before I hear even the slightest sound from upstairs. Either Clay isn’t here yet, which seems highly unlikely because he seems to be a robot or he’s magically learned to walk around like a ballerina. Either way, I’m not complaining. Working from the condo today means I get an extra hour of sleep and my body is in heaven.

I roll out of bed in my same oversized t-shirt and sweats from last night and head to the kitchen. There’s a good half hour before my first call, so I start making a pot of coffee and sit on the kitchen counter, reading my new book. I get a few pages in before I practically jump out of my skin at the sound of banging on the front door.

What the hell?

I head to the door and open it, groaning in exasperation. I flop against the doorframe, dropping my head to my chest.

No one is here. There’s just a small brown bag from Finch and a drink.

If you can even call that a drink. I was interrupted from my relaxing morning for this?

I grab the cup and bag and head right to the elevator. Just when I thought Clay could be civilized, he does something likethis.

When the elevator doors open, I’m not even surprised that Clay is already there, leaning against the door to the penthouse grinning like the Cheshire Cat, sipping what appears to be a nitro cold brew. My current drink.

I would almost think this is funny if it were anyone else.

But no.

Not today, ClayFuckingChapman.

I stomp towards him, holding out the cup.

“Seriously, what the hell is this?” I hold out the abomination in front of me. Honestly, I’m not even sure if you could call itcoffee. It’s practically white, except for the string of red peppermint and caramel swirls around the inside of the clear cup. Then there’s the overly generous serving of whipped cream on top with pink sprinkles and cinnamon.

He shrugs and his grin doesn’t even waver. “Morning to you too.”

I roll my shoulders before looking back at him. “I appreciate you being quiet today, but I don’t want to play your games. Especially if you aren’t going to even get my order right.”

He crosses his arms and his chest rises with a low chuckle. “Did you even look at it? That’s not yours.”

I furrow my brows and look back at the cup and seeLUKEsharpied inside of a big heart.

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