My cell vibrates with an incoming call, and I glance at the screen, expecting it to be Jen calling for our usual evening chat. My heart stutters to a stop. Pressing the side button to decline the call, I dart a glance at Xander. Luckily, he’s facing the other way, so he didn’t notice my reaction. He turns around, a dish towel casually slung over his shoulder and a dirty dinner plate in his hand. “You not answering that?”
I look down at the counter, unable to lie while looking him in the eyes. “It was just someone from work about swapping a shift. I’ll call back later.”
He nods and goes back to loading the dishwasher.
I wait until after dinner and head to my bedroom to return the call from earlier. Wiping my sweaty palms on my legs, I wait for him to answer.
It takes him way too long to pick up, and I’m starting to panic when I hear his voice. Relief floods my body and weakens my knees. I sink onto the bed, breathing his name like a prayer to the heavens. “Nico.”
“Hey, Lily Pad.” His familiar voice washes over me and tears prick at my eyes.
“Is everything okay? Are you …？” My heart thumps violently.
“I’m fine. Everything’s okay.”
Taking a deep breath, I will my body to calm down. “Then why are you calling me on this number? You know you could get us both killed.”
“I’m in New York.”
Air whooshes out of my lungs, and I lie back on the bed before I fall down. What the hell is he doing in New York? My mind races with possibilities, none of them pleasant.
“Lil?”
I remember to breathe and take a gulp of oxygen. “I’m here.”
“I want to see you.” I imagine the scowl darkening his handsome features, marring the face I know as well as I know my own.
“No. It’s too dangerous.”
“Please. I miss you. It’s fucking hell without you.”
A single hot tear tracks its way down my cheek, my heart aching at the sadness in his voice. “I miss you too.”
“So, can I see you?”
“What if someone sees us together?”
“Nobody will. I have a suite at Excelsior. Room 925. Meet me there tomorrow.”
“I’m not sure I can get away.” I sniff back the tears threatening to escape. “I have work, and …” I stop short of telling him about West, Zeke, and Xander.
“Please. I’m only here for two days. I can’t come to New York and not see you, Lil.”
I close my eyes and will my heart to stop racing. It’s way too dangerous, but how do I refuse him? Especially after everything he’s done for me.
“Okay. I could probably get away from work for an hour around two. Does that work for you?”
“I’ll make sure it does. But I gotta run. Bye, Lil. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I whisper, but he’s already gone.
Julian Barnes, the editor of Genevieve magazine, calls my name as I walk past his office. “You got a minute?”
Nervous excitement skitters up my spine. I spin on my heel and head inside, closing the door behind me. He’s leafing through a stack of papers, and as I step closer, I realize it’s the research for my article. My breath catches in my throat. My future at this magazine is literally in his hands. I mean, I know I’m sleeping with the new owners, but that is not how I want to make a name for myself as a journalist.
“This is good,” he finally says, and I practically fall into the chair opposite his desk. “Real good stuff. You’ve been thorough.”
“I triple-checked all my facts. I just have a few more interviews to do, and then I think I’ll have it all wrapped up.”
“I’m thinking of putting it in the August issue. That work for you?”
That means my article will be out in July and will be published in the most purchased issue of the entire year. Hell yeah it works for me. Shifting in my seat, I fight to keep myself from jumping up, throwing my arms around his neck, and planting a noisy kiss right on his lips. “Sure.”
“Keep up the good work, Lily.”
I beam with pride. Julian is my hero. Youngest ever editor in chief of a major magazine, he started his career with hard-hitting but accessible pieces, and his work is incredible. He’s also super fair and supportive of all his staff. And although I’m not on the staff yet, just a freelancer, he’s been really supportive of me too.
His eyes narrow on my face, and I suddenly feel uncomfortable. “You know there’s a rumor you’re dating West Archer?”