Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Olivia
It’s been more than an hour-and-a-half since I left Axel NY.
Alexander kissed me goodbye after he told me that he’d meet me at my apartment as soon as the last guest had cleared out of the restaurant.
I texted him thirty minutes ago to see if he’d be on his way soon, but I haven’t gotten a response.
A faint knock at my door draws me to my feet. I’ve been camped out on my sofa watching Netflix since I got home.
I changed into my favorite black bra and panty set. I covered that with the black silk robe I treated myself with for my birthday.
I want to wow Alexander.
Tugging on the sash of the robe, it falls open to reveal my lingerie. I smooth a hand over my hair, run a finger over my bottom lip and swing the door open.
“Holy hotness, baby.”
I roll my eyes at Kate. “It’s you.”
“I take it you were expecting someone else.” Her brows perk. “Alexander Donato perhaps?”
I yank her hand to pull her into my apartment before I shut the door. “He’s supposed to come over.”
She watches as I tie the sash on my robe into a knot. “I’m not staying long. I stopped by to give you something.”
“What?” I follow her movements as her hand dives into the large red leather tote that’s slung over her shoulder.
She yanks out a book. “I got an advanced copy of the new Nicholas Wolf novel.”
I crane my neck so I can get a better look at the cover. “You did not.”
She holds the book up to give me the perfect view. “I did. Tilly got it for me.”
I know that her friend, Tilly, is married to Sebastian Wolf, Nicholas’s older brother. I didn’t realize that Kate’s friendship with her included a perk like this.
“He’s my favorite.” I reach my hands forward. “I’ll give it back to you as soon as I’m done.”
“You’ll keep it.” She flips open the cover. “There’s a special treat in there for you, Liv.”
My gaze drops to the book and the personalized inscription.
It’s just my name, the word ‘Enjoy,’ and the signature of one of the greatest detective novelists of our time.
Tears prick the corners of my eyes when Kate slides the book into my hands.
“Why did you do this for me?” I ask softly.
Her hand brushes against my forearm. “Friends treat friends. I know you’d do the same for me if you were friends with anyone who knows the Hemsworth brothers.”
I laugh as I slide my hand over my cheek to brush away a tear. “I totally would.”
“Especially anyone who knows Chris. He’s my favorite.”
I tap my forehead. “I’ll store that to memory.”
“I’ll take off before Alexander gets here.” She turns back toward the door.
I glance over at my phone on the coffee table. It’s still silent. “Stick around for a bit. When he gets here you can make a quick exit.”
Her bag drops to the floor. “I read the last page of the book on the subway on my way home from work. Do you want a spoiler?”
I lift a finger to her lips to silence her. “Don’t do it.”
She smiles. “I won’t tell you how that story ends but the one playing out between you and Alexander tonight is going to have a very happy ending.”
“If he ever shows up.” I roll my eyes. “If he’s not here by midnight, I turn into a grump and go to bed alone.”
Her gaze drops to the watch on her wrist. “The man has exactly one hour to get his ass down here.”
Three hours later, I wake up with a start when my phone rings.
I fumble in the dark to find the lamp on the nightstand next to my bed. I turn it on, shielding my eyes from the bright glare of the light.
I pick up my phone and bring it to my ear.
“Hello,” I whisper into it.
“Olivia?”
I rest my head back on the pillow. “Alexander? What time is it?”
“It’s late,” he pauses. “Very late.”
“I was asleep,” I state the obvious. “I’m going back to sleep.”
There was a time in my life when I would have given up just about everything, including sleep, to accommodate a man.
I won’t anymore.
I have an important meeting tomorrow. I need to be alert and rested.
“Wait.” His voice is gruff. “I’m fucked up right now.”
I move to sit up in bed. He doesn’t sound like himself. His voice has a tremor to it that’s not usually there.
“Is everything alright?”
He exhales audibly. “Alvin.”
“What about Alvin?” I question before he can say another word.
I don’t know his nephew well, but he’s a good kid. He was sweet to me when we had dinner together. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him again.
“Phoebe got called away from the party right after you left. He was sick. She ended up in the ER with him. I went down there. It scared the fuck out of me.”
“Are you there now?” I swing my legs over the side of my bed.
It’s not like I’m going to rush down there, am I? I barely know Alvin. I’m not Alexander’s girlfriend. I don’t belong there.
“No, I’m here. I’m in the lobby of your building.”
I pick up my robe from where I threw it on the foot of my bed. I slip into it. “I’ll buzz you up.”