Indigo Nights (Nights #3)(62)

I stepped out of the elevator and a slim, gray-haired woman smiled warmly at me. “Beth? It’s so good to finally meet you. Dylan’s spoken of you often. He always gets me to clear his diary when you’re in town.”

I smiled, soothed by her words. “Can I see him? I need to speak to him urgently.”

Her brow furrowed. “I’m afraid he’s just stepped out for a lunch appointment. But he said he’d be quick if you want to wait.”

I checked my phone, willing it to flash with Dylan’s name. “Actually, it’s really important. Can I ask what restaurant he went to?” I pushed the elevator button to go back down to street level. “I just need to give him a quick message before I leave for the airport, and I’m afraid I can’t wait.” It was a lie and it almost stuck in my throat as I said it, but at that moment, my need to see Dylan, to see that everything was fine, overwhelmed my need to be honest.

Marie was uncomfortable with my request but my face must have convinced her of my need to see him. “He’s at Giovanni’s just on the corner of this block. Turn left when you get out of the building and it’s on the right.”

I smiled at Marie as I stepped into the elevator car. “Thank you so much.”

I hardly noticed the wind as I charged up the street and into the restaurant.

I scanned the diners, trying to find him.

“Hello, miss. Can I help you?”

I continued to search the faces of the patrons as I replied, “I’m looking for Mr. Dylan James.” I spotted his profile. He was taking a sip from his water; his strong hands looked like they could crush his glass if he held it just a fraction too tightly. I exhaled, feeling like finally I was where I should be. His face broke into a grin, but it wasn’t directed at me. He was looking at the person opposite him. I followed his line of vision . . . I stepped closer. Her red hair was unmistakable.

He was having lunch with Alicia.

The color and the noise of the restaurant all seemed to blend together in a huge complicated web and I spun, desperate to get out.

Nothing was what I thought it was.

As I tried to leave, something hit my leg and the sound of broken glass echoed in my head. “Sorry,” I whispered.

I felt people looking at me and ran toward the door and out into the sunlight. I needed to escape.

I tripped out onto the sidewalk just as a cab was dropping someone off. I clambered into the back before the driver even switched on his light.

In the distance, I heard my name being called as I closed the door. “Please, can we get out of here?”

The driver pulled out. “Where to, miss?”

I took a deep breath. I wanted to be at home. “Chicago O’Hare, please.”





Dylan

I wasn’t enjoying Alicia’s company, but she wasn’t irritating me either. It was an hour of my life that I was never going to get back, but I wasn’t emotional. There was no feeling for her left in me, and I felt celebratory at the realization. I was desperate to get back and call Beth. Perhaps I could convince her to change her flight, stay the night. I had so much to tell her.

The sound of smashing glass caught my attention, and I looked up and saw her as she turned and headed toward the door. What was she doing here?

I stood and headed after her. If she’d seen me, and I was pretty sure she had, why hadn’t she come over? Shit, she’d seen me lunching with Alicia and had probably assumed the worst.

I headed outside and looked left and right, trying to see where she’d gone. I reached into my pockets for my phone. Damn, I’d left it in my office.

Where had she disappeared to? I stepped back into the restaurant. “That woman who was here a minute ago—”

“Yes, she came in looking for you, but seemed to change her mind when she saw you. I hope everything . . .”

I didn’t stay to hear the rest, and instead I ran back to the office.

Where had she gone? It must have been a shock to see me with Alicia, but it wasn’t as if she’d found us naked together. Beth knew how I felt about her and that Alicia wasn’t a threat, didn’t she?

As I stormed through the glass doors on the 62nd floor, Marie greeted me. “Beth was just here. Did she catch up with you?”

I stopped before I reached my office. “She was here?”

“Yes, desperate to give you a message. I hope you don’t mind, I told her where you were having lunch. I’m sorry you missed each other. Should I get her on the line?”

“No, that’s fine.” I grabbed my phone from my desk. I had two missed calls from Beth, both from the time before she walked into the restaurant.

Fuck.

I called, heading out of my office toward the elevators.

Her phone just went to voice mail. I hung up and travelled down to meet my driver. She was probably headed to my place. If nothing else, she needed her luggage. It would be fine. I just needed to see her and explain.

“Can we go back to the brownstone, please?” I asked Don as I slid into the backseat. “As quick as you can.”

I opened the door before the car came to a complete stop, then took the stairs to my front door two at a time and let myself inside.

“Beth?” I called and listened for her response, any kind of sign she was here. Nothing. Perhaps she was on her way?

Her luggage was still by the door, so I dialed her number, again.