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The compliment distracts Trident for a moment. “As it should. I’m your best asset which is why I should?—”
“Calix!”
Trident scowls. “Who is that?”
He twists around to look out the back window of the car. There’s a blonde in a tight pink bodycon suit tottering down the sidewalk. I don’t remember her face or her name, but she obviously knows me.
“How big of a bonus would you need to deal with this?”
Trident reaches out and grabs the door handle. “You don’t have enough money.” He slams the door in my face, and the town car speeds off a half second later.
I heave a sigh and turn to face the blonde.
“Calix, I thought that was you.” She’s slightly panting, and there’s sweat forming on her forehead. In her arms is a tiny white dog who wriggles in obvious displeasure, yapping high-pitched, annoying barks.
“I think your dog wants to be on all fours.”
She laughs and slaps me across my biceps. “You’re so funny, Calix. And a little naughty, too. All fours. Tee-hee.” She giggles.
This is why I’m still single. A life of solitude is better than waking up to someone tee-heeing in my ear. I give her a short nod. “I’ve an appointment.” I don’t even tell her that it was nice to see her again because, hell, why start off the morning with a lie?
I turn toward the wrought iron gates of Harlow’s condo building, but before I can take a step forward, the girl’s fingers grab at my elbow. “Wait, Calix, we haven’t seen each other in an age. Why don’t you take me out to breakfast and we can catch up.”
“I don’t remember you, ma’am, and I’ve got an important appointment.” I dip my head and peel her fingers away from my arm. “Your dog needs attention.”
She curses me when I walk away. Thank God for Harlow. Once we’re married, I won’t have to have these annoying encounters. I’ll just hide behind her skirts.
A white-gloved doorman stares wide-eyed at me when I reach the entrance. “Mr. Line, I didn’t see you on the visitor’s schedule.”
I’m impressed. A good doorman who knows everyone in the city and can recognize them by face is a rare find. He needs to come work for me. I hand him my card. “Danny, is it?” That’s what his nametag says. “I’ve got a good position for you at Line, Inc. if you’re interested. I’ll pay you 20 percent more than you’re earning here along with full benefits and a pension. The hours are decent. I don’t believe in overworking anyone, and there are great opportunities for advancement.”
The doorman’s eyes widen. “But you don’t know anything about me.”
“You work as the doorman for the building, which means your security background is impeccable. You recognized me by sight, which means you have a formidable memory and recall ability. Working as a doorman also means you are juggling the demands of?—”
“Danny, why the fuck aren’t you opening the door for me? I broke one of my fingernails trying to pull that wretched brass knob, and Floofy here almost got her face bashed in by—” The same screeching voice from outside comes to a halt. “What are you doing in here, Calix?”
Grimly, I turn toward the voice. “I’m moving in.”
The woman’s jaw drops. “What unit?”
“Mine.” We both turn to see Harlow standing to the side. She’s wearing a sundress in blue with tiny white flowers. Her feet are encased in white ballet flats, and her hair is tied at her neck. She looks edible. I could gobble her up in one bite.
The other woman judges Harlow with one glance. “Who is she, Danny?”
Danny flushes. Even the best of doormen would find this an awkward situation. I step in. “This is my fiancée, Harlow Sinclair.” I pull Harlow under my arm and tip her face up. “Sorry I’m late, darling.” I give her a quick kiss on the mouth that draws sharp inhales from both her and the other woman. Danny slides away like the smart man that he is. Really hope he gives me a call later.
“I’ve lived at The Grand for three years now, and I know everyone in this building, and there’s never been a Sinclair.”
“My grandmother owned it. I inherited it.”
“Inherited…” The blonde trails off. The cogs in her brain are grinding, and I sense we are not going to like the result they churn out. “That means new ownership, and everyone at the co-op has to vote on the title transfer. It’s a condition of the homeowners’ association agreement.” A not very nice smile spreads across the blonde’s face. “You can count me out. I wouldn’t want my property value to go down because of the wrong people living here.”
I tuck Harlow closer to my side. “Since we’re the right kind of people, you don’t have to worry about that.”
The blonde makes a face and turns back to Danny, shaking one long tip at him. “Isn’t the point of a doorman to protect us from trash? If you aren’t going to do your job right, then find a new one.”
She stomps off and around the corner, where she takes the elevator to her floor.
