The Dirty Series 2(151)

“Damn,” I whisper under my breath as I slide my card into the cab’s reader to pay the fare.

“Ms. Banks?”

“Not you, Scott. I was just…thinking of something else.”

“As I was saying, I simply can’t recommend a sale of your properties at this time, although the values have, of course, increased substantially since the time of your purchase. There’s no arguing that. But I hope to impress upon you that—”

“Thank you so much, Scott.” Sometimes, interrupting him is literally the only way to end the conversation. I can tell he’s feeling very passionate about keeping me—and my assets—in New York. “Thank you,” I repeat to the cab driver, who gives me a friendly wave and a smile just before I close the door to the car. That has to be a good sign.

“Scott? I’ll get back with you before the close of business on Monday with my final decision. I really appreciate all your input.”

There’s a moment of silence, and then he says, “Of course, Ms. Banks. Pleasure speaking with you, as always.”

As soon as I end the call, my phone rings again.

Angie.

“Hi, Angie.” I pause on the sidewalk in front of the building, tilting my face up into the September sun. Once I go inside, I’m going to lose myself in packing up the most important of my possessions, and by the time that’s finished, it’ll be dark out.

“Carolyn! I have to tell you, I think this is an absolutely wonderful time to list your properties. I have a number of connections who have expressed interested in similar properties in the last few months, so I’m confident we can negotiate a sale as soon as you’re ready.”

“That’s good to hear, Angie.” I want to tell her to list it, list everything, but the words stick in my throat. Why is this so damn difficult? When it first came to me in Scott’s office, it seemed like a sure thing. A new place. A new life. With Ace or without him.

Is it really that simple, though? With him, yeah, that’s simple. If we can work this out, then it’ll be the easiest choice I’ve ever made in my life. Without him, I don’t know what I’ll do.

Angie is still talking, but I haven’t taken in a word she’s been saying. Something about the recovering market, more about potential sale prices and added value….

My phone buzzes with a text message, but it’s probably from Jess. I’ll get to it when I’m back upstairs.

“Right,” I say, the next time there’s even a hint of a lull. “If you could email this all to me that would be…that would be great. And I’ll get back to you on Monday.” I don’t bother telling her that I’ll have a final decision. Standing here right now, in the New York City sun, I feel entirely undecided.

About selling, that is. Not leaving. I’m going to get out of here, and I’m never going to lose myself in the business of other people again.

“That’s great!” Angie chirps on the other end of the line. “I’ll be waiting to hear from you. This is going to mean great things, Carolyn!”

Never let it be said that Angie doesn’t have a bubbly personality.

I drop my phone back into my purse, take one more deep breath, and square my shoulders.

I’m doing the right thing. Once I’ve made a little headway with packing, I might even text Ace and ask him to talk.

I push open the door to the lobby, blinking in the relatively low light, and take a moment to adjust my purse.

And then my heart pounds, so hard it feels like it might burst right out of my chest, because standing in the center of the lobby, looking at me, is Ace.

I want to run toward him, and I want to run back out onto the sidewalk, because the surge of electricity that streaks through me is almost too strong for my body to handle. Those gray eyes, that body, Jesus….

He’s clutching a folder in his strong hands and seems frozen to the spot, but then he blinks and takes a deep breath.

“Ace,” I say, not caring in the slightest that Arnie the doorman is riveted to the scene, having put down his copy of today’s Times.

Ace shifts his weight and moves toward me, and it jolts me out of my own head. I’m still too close to the door, and it takes everything I have to walk toward him with a measured pace.

It’s only a matter of seconds until we’re standing face to face. I breathe in the spicy scent of him and my entire body relaxes.

“Hi.”

His eyes bore into mine.

My entire being hangs on his presence.





Chapter Forty-Eight





Ace



I’m on the way out to the car to tell Noah to stay where he is at any cost, but there she is.

Her hair is a little windblown from being outside, cheeks pink, face determined, and I fall in love with her all over again just by watching her come through the lobby.