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Alana nods before finishing her breakfast and standing up to clear the plates.
“Do you need help?”
“Nah, you go get ready for work. You’re letting me crash the bachelor pad. The least I can do is clean up after I cook. Go get ready for work or something.”
I watch her do the dishes, her hips swaying back and forth as she loads the dishwasher, and as I finish my coffee, I can’t help but wonder who could have done this to her. It makes little sense that someone would target her specifically.
“Thanks for breakfast,” I say as I walk up behind her and put my hands on the swell of her hips.
She stands still and leans back into my touch. My face hovers against her neck, and I gently press a kiss against the sensitive skin behind her ear.
“I’m sorry my life is a mess right now,” she whispers.
“Normal is boring anyway,” I say.
I smack her ass playfully and walk out of the kitchen and into the foyer. The flowers I bought for her from the florist sit forgotten on the table by my front door. I pick up the bouquet of roses and orchids, inhaling their sweet scent. Alana’s footsteps softly approach behind me, and I turn around to see her standing a few feet away.
“Those are beautiful,” she breathes, her eyes never leaving the bouquet.
I hold them out to her and chuckle. “They’re for you. I ordered them yesterday and then forgot them sitting here.”
“Thank you,” she says as she takes them from me, a small smile on her lips as she brings the flowers to her nose and inhales deeply. “What a wild fucking first date, huh?” she asks, and I laugh out loud.
“Well, in our defense, our first sexual encounter was in an office in a restaurant. I’d expect nothing else.”
We both laugh as she takes the bouquet out of my hands.
“Come on, I’ll show you where everything is before I have to leave.”
We make our way up, and I give her a quick tour of my place.
“Make yourself at home,” I tell her as we reach the top landing. “I’ll be in my office working if you need anything. Once I’m done with my morning meetings, we’ll run and get your car.”
Alana smiles and nods before heading off to the guest room to unpack and rest.
34
Chapter Thirty Four
Alana
The spare bedroom is cozy, with a warm color scheme and plush furniture. A fluffy, taupe-colored comforter covers the bed, and it looks so inviting I almost want to take a nap. To my left, the pale green walls have pictures of landscapes and family members hanging on them. On the right side of the room, there’s a desk with a laptop and some office supplies scattered atop it. Beside that is an armchair, perfect for reading or taking a break from work.
The sun is just beginning to peek through the windows, flooding the room with natural light as it beams in from outside. I walk over to get a closer look at one of the landscape paintings hanging on the wall—it’s a beautiful scene of rolling hills and lush fields—when something else catches my eye. A little wooden chest sits perched atop a shelf near the window, filled with sketch pads and pencils.
I didn’t realize Andreas was an artist, but I can’t imagine why else he’d have all of this sitting around in his house. I walk over and open the chest, flipping through the various notebooks inside. Some pads of paper have incredibly detailed drawings of people, while others contain landscapes and abstract designs. I’m amazed at Andreas’ talent—it’s like looking through a window into his soul.
With a smile on my face, I close the chest and quickly change into something more comfortable before I call Ashley and Ricole to tell them about what happened last night. I’m stressed because I can already hear the concern in their voices when they learn of the break-in.
I dial Ashley first, and she answers quickly, “Hey, girl, hey.”
“Hold on,” I say, “Let me three-way Ricole. She’s gonna wanna hear this.”
Before Ashley can ask questions, I dial Ricole’s number, and when she answers, I tell her I’m merging the calls.
“Is everybody here?” I ask.
They both answer in the affirmative, so I catch them up on the latest episode of the daytime drama that is my life.
