Page 98 of Moonstruck at Midnight
We finally arrived. William released my hand and stepped out of the car, looking at his watch. I turned to look at Caleb just before I got out, and he didn’t seem happy. He licked his lower lip with a frown and looked away.
William offered his hand to me and helped me step out of the SUV. “There’s a meeting I need to get to,” he said, pulling me closer to him.
“Hmm, what kind of meeting would that be?” I asked, hoping to get any insights—wishing it wasn’t a meeting Erin would attend.
“The kind that is none of your business,” he replied with a smile, poking my nose with his finger. “It’s just a boring meeting. I’d rather convince you to take a third guess right now and whisk you away to our first date.”
A young driver held the door for William. “Text me if you get bored,” I replied, echoing his smile. “Because I’m not taking any guesses right now. And that’s mine.”
“You can have this one,” he said, handing over the simple black elastic tie, leaving the one with the stars on his wrist. I liked it on his wrist, and I didn’t mind if he wanted to keep it, but I enjoyed teasing him.
“What about the other one? You’re not blocked anymore.”
“I changed my mind. But you can always come and get it,” he said, crossing his arms in front of him—a challenge, for another day, at another time, when I wasn’t being observed with a magnifying glass.
I looked over my shoulder and confirmed my assumptions. The three of them were looking at us in the not so far distance.
“I’ll get it off your wrist one of these days.”
William shook his head slowly with one of his charmingly crooked smiles. And just before he left, he kissed my cheeks and whispered in my ear, “Don’t wait up.” He got in the car and brushed his bottom lip with his thumb.
I brushed my bottom lip, too, and smiled for the millionth time. I felt like the bottom-lip brushing was already our thing—our little secret sign.
This weekend at the cottage was the first time I’ve ever been with William outside of the apartment building, which was crazy. It felt—weird living in the same building now. I was hoping our dynamic wouldn’t get awkward. I just wanted things to feel like they always did.
I was still standing on the sidewalk when my phone buzzed.
W.S.:When the meeting gets boring (it will), I’ll keep thinking about how I’m going to punish you.
That whole punishing thing he had going on was giving me a hot flash. Damn. And my curiosity levels were skyrocketing.
Thankfully, William had gone to his meeting because I really needed to get my shit together. Starting with the fact that I needed to talk to my security detail—all three of them. And I knew things were going to be awkward with Caleb after that kiss with William in the car, but there was nothing I could do about it.What’s done is done.
I asked them if we could have a word and walked inside the lobby. I could reply to William’s text later. Perhaps if I made him wait a little longer, he’d get more creative.
“Of course, Miss Murphy,” Aaron replied as they followed me inside.
I was sure Caleb told Aaron and David I’d broken up with Thomas, but I wanted to let them know we would probably meet one last time tomorrow. But just in case he showed up today, I wanted to be notified before he came up to my apartment unannounced, as he usually did.
I could see Caleb’s power-filled stare from the corner of my eye, but I kept my gaze focused on Aaron and David.
“Would you require extra security around him from now on?” Aaron asked casually.Waytoo casually. I think he probably misunderstood me. I wasn’t afraid of Thomas. I just didn’t want any more surprises.
“No, not exactly. Look, we broke up. But there’s nothing to be worried about. I don’t want him to feel comfortable going up to my apartment like he used to, that’s all.”
“Of course, Miss Murphy,” Aaron replied. “We’ll take him off the authorized visitor’s list.”There’s a list?Of course, there was. And it was probably a very short one.
I apologized for last night. I told them how it wasn’t my intention to have them worry like they did. I knew they always had my best interest at heart, and I didn’t want them to feel betrayed by my behavior. I assured them I would talk to my father and that this wasn’t in any way their fault.
Before I excused myself, I directed my gaze at Caleb. He was still looking at me. I wet my lips and took a deep breath through my nose. What was I to say? That I’d prefer he didn’t have to see William kissing me? Of course! That it was a possibility he would never have to see that again? Could be.
I didn’t know what to expect from William. For all I knew, he could walk in with a girl on each arm tomorrow. At least, he was free to do that. Not that I would enjoy the sight of it.
I finally excused myself, and Caleb offered to walk me back to my apartment.Shit. I didn’t need any more drama.
We walked in silence all the way to my doorstep.
“Thank you, Caleb,” I said as I unlocked my door.
