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“Heather and I are dating, but that’s none of your business.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets, shaking his head. “Maybe not, but the people who make it on top in this business are the ones for whom work comes first.”
“Then get to the age of fifty and take trophy wives twenty years younger. I don’t need advice on that topic.”
I didn
’t give him a chance to say anything else, just shut off my laptop and walked straight past him. I was still furious by the time I was out of the building.
I dropped by my sisters’ store. I’d possibly done it out of instinct, because I hadn’t heard from them in a few days. I expected to see my sisters inside, either huddled over their laptops at the counter or arranging merchandise on shelves, as usual.
I had not expected to see the store closed. It was only seven o’clock in the evening. Their usual opening hours were until nine. Again, instinct told me something was wrong.
I took out my phone, calling Tess. It went straight to voicemail. Shit, what was happening? I called Skye next. She didn’t pick up, but at least it didn’t go to voicemail, so I tried again. The fourth time, she picked up.
“Ryker,” she greeted. “Sorry, I’d put it on silent.”
“Hi! I’m in front of your store.”
“Oh, we’re not there.”
“I figured that out. How come?”
Skye didn’t answer. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to summon some of that calm I was so known for.
“We’ve decided to cut the opening hours shorter. We’re both so tired, and we need to rethink some things.”
“What happened?”
Again, silence. It was freaking me out. Skye had two modes: dragon mode or pacifier mode. Silence meant she was in so much trouble that she had no idea how to get out.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“At Tess’s place.”
“I can come over.”
“I have a better idea. I’ll meet you in the city. Being inside isn’t helping.”
“Okay. Is Tess coming too?”
“Nah. She’s asleep. Don’t want to wake her up.”
“She’s sleeping at 7:00 p.m.? Skye, what’s happening?” I pressed my forehead against the cool window.
“It’s been a rough week.”
“Rough how? Can I help?”
More silence.
“Skye, what’s wrong? This isn’t like you.”
“The investor we were talking with decided not to work with us anymore.”
I clasped my phone tightly, balled the other hand in a fist.
“Shit. Anything else?” It was more of a rhetorical question, but I braced myself when Skye exhaled sharply.
