Chapter 16
BEN
Rolling over, I fling my forearm over my eyes to shield them from the harsh sunlight pouring between the almost sheer drapes.
Hell. This entire project is going to be a gut job.
But I’m feeling more optimistic that it’ll be worth every cent I pour into it.
And none of this would be possible without the beauty next to me.
My lucky charm.
Turning toward Grace with a big-ass grin covering my face, I reach to pull her body back into mine but flinch when instead I get an armful of limp pillow. What the—
My eyes fly open, my gaze ping ponging about the room. Popping upright, I take a quick inventory of the small space. There’s no trace of her. The clothes, her shoes, her purse.
She’s gone.
Springing from the bed, I rush for the bathroom. However, I’ve already reconciled what I’ll find before I step inside. An empty space covered in aged yellow tile and cracked formica. No Grace.
My mind races to hold onto anything that could lead me to her as I instinctively rub my palm over my chest. The tow truck company!
I race to where my wallet sits on the small desk by the door. Fumbling inside, I come up short. “Hell. What was the name of that place?” Yet, as hard as I try, I can’t recall it for the life of me. I’m only able to picture the blue and white logo on the card. No name. Not even any damn initials.
As if looking for some trace that she wasn’t a figment of my imagination, I double check each compartment of my wallet. Unlike many of the women in my past, this down on her luck beauty at least left all of my money.
Who are you running to, Grace?
Why didn’t I ask if she was involved with anyone? I can’t fathom she’d be the type who would’ve spent the evening with me if she was in a committed relationship. But I’ve been wrong before. If she’s racing back to a man, he doesn’t deserve her.
It’s quite likely that no man does.
Images from the night before dance in my mind, and I hang my head, wishing I’d handled the evening differently.
There’s no logical explanation for why I feel this way about a woman I’ve known less than twenty-four hours.
To think that what I felt for my ex had me believing I’d found the real thing.
It’s laughable. But there’s no sense thinking I can move on as if last night hasn’t changed everything. Without knowing more about her.
This woman made me want more. Not just more of her, but more time with her.
Not sure where to start looking. But find Grace I will. And once I do, I’ll move heaven and earth for this woman to give me a chance.