Page 105 of His Reckoning

The important part is that he’s not a billionaire tech CEO who thinks my writing process revolves around sleeping with him.

By the time evening rolls around, I’m standing in my room, staring at my closet.

“This is a completely reasonable adult decision,” I tell myself.

It’s just drinks with someone emotionally functional, who probably doesn’t analyze people like they’re business investments.

I pull on a black dress that’s casual enough to pass as effortless but still flattering enough to make me feel like I’m proving a point.

Mostly for me, but slightly out of spite, which is ridiculous because he’s not even home yet.

I check my phone.

Theo: Outside.

Perfect.

I grab my purse and head toward the living room just as the apartment door opens.

Sawyer walks in. His tie is loosened, his sleeves rolled up, and he stops short the moment he sees me standing there by the door, dressed and ready to leave.

His attention moves over me slowly. It’s not subtle or polite.

“Going somewhere?” he asks.

“Out.”

“With who?”

I open the door. “None of your business.”

A muscle ticks in his cheek, which is extremely satisfying.

Theo is standing just outside the door when I step into the hallway.

He’s tall with short, slightly curly hair. He has paint stains on his fingers. Exactly the kind of man Sawyer would probably describe as chaotic.

Theo smiles. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

I glance back toward the apartment. Sawyer is standing just inside the doorway, watching.

Theo follows my gaze. “Your roommate?”

“Temporary housing situation.”

Sawyer somehow looks even less pleased.

Theo offers his hand. “I’m Theo.”

Sawyer looks at the hand for half a second, then shakes it. “Sawyer.” His tone is polite, but there’s something tight underneath it.

Theo nods toward the elevator. “Ready?”

“Absolutely.”

I step toward the elevator and press the button. The doors slide open a moment later. Before stepping inside, I glance back toward the apartment one more time.