Chase
Honey by Night Cap
I’m so damn glad I followed him into that alley.
Never in a million years would I have anticipated how my morning went.
Not only was I able to meet the famous “Hammer” today, but I was able to practice one of my favorite sports too. How crazy is that?
And it’s all because of Jeremiah Blackwood. Who would’ve thought? His looks are quickly becoming the least interesting thing about him. The more time I spend around him, the more I realize how funny, witty and…dangerously addicting he is.
I bite into my apple and stare down at my phone. It’s exactly 2:58 pm. The driver should be here any moment now.
“You’ve been staring at that thing all day. Is it paying you money or something?” Ryan teases, walking into the living room.
“Pffft, no I haven’t.” I lie, leaning on the kitchen island.
Ryan scoffs out a laugh, flopping onto the couch. “You’re a terrible liar, you know that? What? You’ve got a date or something? The lady killer finally settling down?”
I feel my cheeks heat. “Why? Am I over dressed?” I ask, looking down at my clothes. After rummaging through my closet, I settled on a navy blue button up and some light grey slacks. I thought it was a good choice but… maybe I should’ve gone with something more casual…
“Oh my gosh, man. Look at you. You're nervous.” He shakes his head looking at me with amazement.
I clench my jaw. “Dude, it’s not that big of a deal. I’m going over to Jeremiah’s place to work on… work stuff,” I say, sliding my work bag closer to me.
“Huh.” His gaze searches me, as I fidget with my bag straps. “You’re really doing the most for Germ.” He squints.
I glare at him. “I told you not to call him that. Matter a-fact, the next time you see him, I’m going to need you to apologize to him.”
I can’t have Jeremiah thinking I stand for that type of shit, anymore. That’s not who I am. Truthfully, it’s not who I ever was.
Ryan’s lips twitch in amusement. “Mega damn. Dude, I think you’ve got it bad for your boss.”
“And what if I do?” I blurt.
There’s a beat that passes between us. Silence fills the room.
Did I just…say that out loud? Well, fuck.
The back of my neck tingles as I watch him in anticipation.
“Well…” Ryan looks away for a moment, clearly thinking. “Then, I’d say…good luck.” He shrugs, grabbing the remote for the tv off the coffee table. “But, don’t workplaces like yours have rules against that sort of thing?” he asks, flicking through the channels.
My brows pinch together. Fuck, he’s right.
They damn well made that rule because of me, and now here I go, crushing on the COO. The top of the food chain. If there was anyone not to get involved with, it’s him.
Right when the panic starts to creep in, a ping comes through to my phone from an unknown number.
Unknown Number: Uber’s downstairs. Black Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Don’t be late.
I laugh to myself, quickly add his name into my phone before I text back.
Me: Oooo. You got me a Benz? You shouldn’t have *kiss emoji*
Boss Man: Just get in the car.
Me: Yes, boss.
“Okay, I’m outtie,” I shout, picking up my things from the counter and heading towards the door.
“See ya, lover boy.” Ryan shouts after me.
I flip him off over my shoulder and try not to smile as I shut the door behind me.
***
Pete, the driver, is nice. We chat briefly about why I’m heading from my side of the city to the fancy, upper-class King West area.
“For work,” I answer, but the truth is that my nerves are singing a different song entirely.
If I focus on the work, maybe it won’t be so complicated. Get in, get out—keep it professional.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
The Uber pulls up in front of a tan, sleek, modern building. I double-check the address and step out, my laptop bag slung across my chest. I say thank you to Pete before making my way to the tall, revolving doors.
Swallowing deeply, I check in with the concierge at the front desk before she calls upstairs. I wipe my brow with the back of my hand, sucking in a deep breath as I wait. A moment later, she waves me through and points me toward the elevators.
“Thirty-sixth floor,” she says with a polite smile.
I do as I’m instructed, using this time alone to calm the hell down.
This is a work thing. There’s nothing to be nervous about. Except, as I ascend up the luxurious elevator, my nerves are screaming another tune.
This building screams money just like his house did when we were younger. I remember how awestruck I was when I pulled up to his long stretch driveway. I’m getting the similar feeling right now, waiting as the elevator hums to a stop.
Stepping out, I make my way to the end of the hallway, all the way to his door. No bells and whistles—just a simple number and a brushed metal handle that catches the light in the exact right way.
I take a breath, steadying myself, and tap my knuckles lightly.
It opens almost immediately, leaving my fist mid-air as my body stops functioning, completely.
There he stands, with his damp black hair and the softest smile, almost like he’s surprised I actually made it. He’s wearing joggers and a fitted black tee that stretches over his muscles, making it clear where all that jiu-jitsu training has paid off.
“You wore slacks?” he says, his eyes scanning me.
I laugh, awkwardly tugging on my laptop strap. “You wore sweats?”
“My house, my rules.” He steps aside, gesturing to me to enter.
I step inside his apartment, trying not to let my pulse race too much. This is wild.
“Woah,” I breathe. Right away, I recognize how much Jeremiah’s place reflects his personality. Everything is so clean and mature and…sexy. Can an apartment be sexy? Well, if it could, this would be it.
The walls are a deep charcoal grey, and floor-to-ceiling windows flood the open space with natural light.
Dark marble floors stretch through the living area, echoing the oversized L-shaped couch piled with plush cushions that dangerously look like they could swallow a person whole.
No wonder he thought my place could use a little help.
“You like it?” Jeremiah asks, a little nervous edge to his voice, like he’s testing to see what I think.
“Yeah, it’s—” I pause, running my hand over his quartz kitchen countertop, my eyes taking in all his top of the charts appliances. “It’s really nice.”
My foot hits something on the floor, catching my attention. A steel pet bowl filled with wet food on one side and a stainless steel water fountain on the other. Oh, that’s where the trickling water sound is coming from.
My eyes flick to Jeremiah who’s still curiously watching me. “You have a pet?”
He looks away, but not before I catch the upward pull of his mouth. “No, I… thought you were bringing Honey, so I bought some things for her before you got here.”
I try to stifle my shock as best as I can but it’s hard when I physically feel my heart stutter a little. “You bought her food?” I smile, touched. “I’m sorry I didn’t bring her. I should’ve guessed you’d be okay with it.”
“No worries. This is the first time we’re hanging out.” He shrugs, as if it’s no big deal.
Hanging out. Like friends. Hanging out like friends do.
“I could bring her next time,” I offer, tilting my head. “Although, I guess I’d need to bring her litter box.” I cringe. Nothing cool about a litter box.
He bites his lower lip. “I actually got that, too.”
He gestures across the room, and I turn to see a fresh kitty litter box tucked neatly in the corner near the sliding patio door.
I laugh, feeling a warm flush creep up my neck. “Well, you sure do come prepared to all your work meetings.”
“Just for Honey,” he whispers, with a smirk.
I laugh again, more freely this time. “Well, she’s not here but at least I’m impressed.”
Something almost fond flickers in his eyes. My chest tightens at the sight of it.
He clears his throat, clapping his hands together. “Well, we should probably get to it. Are you thirsty?”
I stand up straight and nod. “Right. Yeah. And sure, a sprite would be great.”
He scratches the back of his neck. “Do you want to work inside or out on the patio?”
“Uh… outside is good.” It’s such a gorgeous day, that sounds like a dream.
“Alright, outside it is.” He ducks into the fridge and comes out with our drinks.