Page 87 of My Rock Star Neighbor
I shiver.Seeing a big red X over my face had not been a cheery sight.
“I don’t know.But if I’m a fan and I have a choice between breaking into Nick’s apartment or his girlfriend’s, I’d much rather meet Nick.”
“But this wasn’t a female fan.”
“That’s right.This was definitely a man,” I say.“And that hammer didn’t give him a huge fan vibe.”
She’s not saying anything about the contract.Is that bad or good?
“And that’s all that was stolen?”she asks.
That was more than enough.
“I think so,” I say.“I didn’t do the most thorough search, but I can’t think of anything else that’s missing.He didn’t take any jewelry, not that I have much.”
“You’re getting close.Especially if he felt the need to destroy evidence or send a message.Have you backed up your laptop in case it gets stolen?”she asks.
“In multiple places.”
“What are your next steps for the investigation?”she asks.
Is the contract a nonissue?Is it good that she’s only asking about the investigation?
“I’m monitoring Ward’s Instagram, and I’m coordinating with Tasha and her friends to monitor Beatrice and the deputy commissioners,” I say.“This Saturday, though, I have to cover the Chinatown parade for an article.But still, that should give me a chance to follow Deputy Commissioner Pommer.He should be there.It’s his district, and he was on a float last year.”
“As far as the contract, yes, it won’t help your career if this gets out,” she says.“It’s been very public, and it certainly seemed real…”
“Because the feelings were real,” I say.
“That is better,” she says.“It helps that you are really dating now.”
“That does help, right?”I ask.
She nods.“I think so.Whether it affects any promotion, I don’t know.”
I am making dinner for Nick because that talk with my boss went better than I expected.She was more interested in the investigation.And she wasn’t definite that it would hurt my chance to be promoted.
I call my mom to tell her I’m now truly dating Nick and that our contract may be published.I’d told her before that we were fake dating.
“You’re really dating Nick now?That’s great!”my mom says.“I always liked him.He seems kind.He helped me carry up my grocery bags once.”
“He’s a good guy,” I say.
“I’m relieved to hear it.I always worried that maybe your father’s death made you a bit closed off, and that’s why you weren’t dating.”
I don’t think so.Maybe it made me a bit more cautious, but I’ve been dating.Until the fish review.
“Mom,” I say.“It’s not like you’re out there dating.”
“I’m so busy with the business…”
“I’m busy with work, too.”
“But I also had twenty-five years with your dad.I loved your dad.I want that same experience for you.”
“I really like Nick,” I say.We change the subject and catch up a bit more, and then I promise to stop by soon.
Lily:I checked the book, and it now has a blue envelope!Someone picked up the other envelope!But I never saw it.
