“Four at most.”
“I’ve sent forty this morning alone…”
“Forty?” Her eyes widened. “Or fourteen?”
“Whichever one sounds better.” I paused. “I’m not the begging type, but this woman is seriously pushing it.”
“Miss Sterling?”
“Yes—no.”
“Okay, fine.” She shook her head. “I think I should take your personal phone away for a while. You can keep the other two, though.”
“After I send her a few more messages,” I said. “Chloe has a tendency to be overdramatic. I’m sure she’s sent me something by now anyway.”
I swiped to my inbox and saw her name at the top, but there was still nothing.
Not even a read receipt.
I tapped the screen, ready to send her another text, but Sarah snatched the phone from my hand.
“You’ll thank me later for this. Trust me.”
“Give me my goddamn phone back,” I said. “Now.”
“You have a meeting with the interior design team in an hour,” she said. “I’ll be back with your lunch when it’s time.”
“They can’t design anything until the lobby is rebuilt.” I held out my hand for the phone. “Reschedule it for tomorrow or else.”
“Or elsewhat?”
“I’ll have you replaced within the hour.”
“I’d like to see you try.” She slammed my door shut without looking back.
—
A Full Three Weeks Later
THE CEO
DANTE
“Ican assure you, Mr. Hudson, that Miss Chloe Sterling no longer lives here.” The manager of Chloe’s building crossed his arms. “I told you this last week and the week before as well.”
“I’m just checking to see if it changed,” I said. “Did she mention where she was going?”
“No, sir.”
“What about a forwarding address?”
“It’s still a no.” He held up his hand. “Before you ask, I don’t know where her former roommate Marie went either. They both just left without giving a heads-up to me or anyone else.”
“But what about—” I stopped myself. I was certain I looked pathetic.
“Thank you for your time, sir.” I returned to my car and pulled onto the street.
Then, like I’d done several times before, I took the long way to The Holden and tried not to think about Chloe.