Chapter Twenty-Four
Emery
Condensation covers the mirror, so I wipe it away and stare at my reflection. My cheeks are flushed from the hot shower, and tendrils of hair fall from my messy bun, the wet ends curling slightly.
The tension between Sebastian and me towards the end of our walk yesterday lingered for the remainder of the night. But it’s a different tension than what we’d had previously. This one felt like it had a roaring fire underneath it, waiting to break free, and I didn’t know what that meant for us.
Turning away from the mirror, I open the bathroom door—
“So, you’re the reason Sebastian’s been sneaking off early each day.”
My hand flies to my chest, part from fright, part to secure the towel wrapped around my chest. A woman sits on the end of my bed, knees crossed, her blondish-brown hair pulled back into a pony and a wide smile on her face, showing a perfect set of white teeth.
“Well,earlyis probably an exaggeration. But seeing as he practically lives at the office, anything less than working himself to death is noteworthy,” she says casually like we’re two girlfriends having a chat.
Remembering what Mason said, other than Easton, the only person who has access to the penthouse is Sebastian’s assistant.
What was her name?
“What are you doing here?” I ask, clasping the towel tight at my chest while trying to pull the bottom down to hide as much as I can.
The woman tilts her head and studies me, though she doesn’t seem to pay any attention to my lack of clothes. She’s pretty. Beautiful really. Mid-twenties, if I had to guess.
“I came to take Shadow out and to grab a few files, but you could say I got a little distracted when I heard the shower running.” She smiles again like she’s uncovered a secret she wasn’t supposed to.
Monday. It must be Mason’s day off. I completely forgot about that.
A phone starts to ring, and the woman grabs the purse sitting on the bed beside her and pulls her phone out, flashing me a look before she swipes the screen and brings it to her ear.
“Mr. Reed. What can I do for you?” she asks.
My back straightens, knowing that he’s on the other end of the call.
Raising her eyebrow at his response, she glances back to me, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, it’s no trouble, Mr. Reed. I’m just walking into the foyer now, and I need to grab those files anyway,” she says—clearly lying—her sweet, professional tone belying the expression she’s throwing my way. “I’ll see you back at the office.”
She promptly hangs up, leaving no time for a response.
Her phone starts ringing immediately, but she merely mutes it.
“So, how long have you been seeing Sebastian?” she asks, standing from the bed.
“No… I’m not. I mean,we’renot… we aren’t together.” I stumble over my words
“Uh-huh,” she says, after eyeing me for a moment. “I’m Lauren.” She walks towards me, holding out her hand when she gets close enough.
“Grace,” I say, but I don’t let go of the towel.
As if only just realising I’m basically naked, she drops her hand. “Oh, sorry.” She steps out of my way, and I walk past her and out of the guest bedroom. The sound of her heels follows me down the hall, and I squeeze the towel tighter.
Ducking into the laundry room, I go straight for the dryer, pulling out all the clothes I own. Everything but the cream knit.
Lauren stands in the doorway, and I clear my throat.
“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before,” she chimes but humours me and turns around.
Laying my towel on top of the dryer, I hastily pull on my leggings before throwing on my t-shirt, not bothering with a bra.
“I’m done,” I say, dropping the towel in the laundry hamper and gathering up the few remaining items.