Page 154 of The Chase
“Yes. It’s karaoke night. Office tradition. I always end up paying their bar bill. Sucker that I am.”
My throat tightened at his lie but it was one that could easily be validated.
“It’s a crappy line. I’ll call you back.”
He killed the call and left me staring at my phone in stunned silence.
Grabbing my phone and handbag, I flew out of there.
I reapplied fresh makeup in the cab on my way to the Coach and Horses, and let down my hair so the spiraling curls hid the fact I was staking him out if he really was there—
And not breaking into the Tate.
My heart was going to bloody well explode and I teetered on the edge of having it smashed to smithereens. If anything happened to him I’d be to blame for not seeing this earlier. Not talking him out of it or warning the staff at Huntly Pierre.
This brazenness proved how far I’d fallen for him.
Still, there was uncertainty.
The pub was packed with wall-to-wall drinkers and the atmosphere crackled with the joy of friends hanging out.
I doubted I’d ever feel happiness again as I scanned the crowd.
A Beatles song blared from the karaoke stage, “Hey Jude,” though the man’s singing was terrible. The scent of booze wafted from the bar and the aroma of rich fried food came from the kitchen.
My phone vibrated in my hand and I stared down at the screen.
It was from Abby:We have him.
Heart pounding, I hurried into a corner and texted back,Do you have a name?
Abby:Not yet.
My fingers flew across the keys.Was he hurt?I backspaced, realizing how that sounded.Are they taking him to the Met?
Abby:Yes. More soon. Go celebrate. We’re getting our art back!
I replied,Amazing Job.I managed that at least, wanting to roll into a ball and rock the rest of my life away.
Taking him right to the Metropolitan Police Station proved he wasn’t injured at least. Hands shaking, I tucked my phone into my pocket, trying to see straight.
Should I go there?
My gaze locked on him across the bar and my brain exploded as I cringed against my insanity.
Thank God.
My gasp was muffled by the music.
Tobias sat in the middle of a crowded table at the far end of the bar. He was holding a bottle of Samuel Smith Imperial Stout, and was laughing at someone’s joke. Logan sat beside him snuggled up close, her smile wide and her face flushed. She sipped from a tall glass of something fizzy.
This was what it felt to find my way to a well in a desert.
Tobias threw his friends a dashing smile as he shared a joke with them—
He looked extra gorgeous tonight, as though he’d gone out of his way to taunt me. That deep blue shirt, ripped blue jeans and black waistcoat emphasizing his knack for making casual look classy. His hair was extra messy as though he’d run his hand through it.
Lead ran through my veins as I realized I couldn’t run up to him and wrap my arms around his neck and nuzzle in possessively.
