Page 35 of Sugar

We left it on a high note. The smart thing to do is…

Oh, never mind.

Checking my mirrors, I backed up and parked again in a nearby spot. I didn’t want to make myself a target with my big bag, but I pocketed my phone, ID, and debit card before hurrying from the car.

I got to the sidewalk to see Easton was thankfully still visible. That thrill of—literally—chasing a story made my blood electric as it rushed through my veins. I kept my distance and did, in fact, become a stalker as I trailed him heading farther and farther down the street. After a handful of blocks, he slowed before disappearing inside a building.

Shit.

I picked up speed until I reached where I’d last seen him.

Huh.

Unlike the other buildings surrounding it, there was no glass window front. No darkened lobby. No signage on the white brick exterior at all. The wide three-story building had a door.

And that was it.

Through the etched glass of said door, I was able to make out the distorted view of a man. The setup reminded me of the security entryway at Wells Law.

Does Easton have more than one office? That’s not unusual, but it seems like a waste to have them so close to each other.

I lurked for a few seconds longer, trying to decide if appeasing my curiosity was worth the embarrassment of getting turned away by the guard. Or worth the risk of getting caught by Easton.

It wasn’t.

Spinning on my heel, I’d barely taken a single step when a deep voice spoke from behind me. “You’re in the right place.”

Chapter 6

Golden

MADDIE

Iturned back to seethe door being held open by a muscled man. There was no other description for him. He was massively tall, and his muscles had muscles that strained his black tee. He made Benji at Wells Law look like a kindergartener.

Contrary to his intimidating size, his smile was soft and friendly. “You’re looking for the bar, right?”

“I am,” I lied.

“Like I said, you’re in the right place. Just a little early. It won’t get hopping for another couple hours.”

“I’m always early,” I lied again. It was a frantic effort for me to get anywhere on time. That was as good as I was getting.

The man stepped aside so I could join him in the entryway.

Oh.

Oh no.

This is how I die.

There’s literally a saying about curiosity killing the cat, and I fell for it anyway.

There was no bar. No early crowds. There was nothing but an old, black rotary phone on a little golden table and a matching stool.

If I was smart, I would’ve retreated right back out the door, but I didn’t.

“Are you meeting anyone here?” the man asked, offering me a protective pretext without me scrambling to think of it.

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