Chapter 21
Fin
Ethan arranged for me to use a parking space in the lower-level garage at the Vine.
The owners were out of town, snowbirds who had already flown Kentucky for the beaches of Florida.
This new benefit allowed me entry up to the seventh floor without the hassle of baseball caps or disguises.
My thighs ached as I stepped down from my truck.
I didn’t know what color or model rental car Vee had, but I was sad to see her parking space still empty.
Thankfully, I was able to go straight from my truck up to the seventh floor. The beeping of the security system confirmed that Vee wasn’t here. I turned it off.
A smile tugged at my lips as I looked around.
I had lived in many cities, moved from apartments to houses and to condominiums. In LA, I discovered the ease of renting—everything.
As I prepared to move to Lexington, I followed that pattern.
JD recommended the apartment complex, and a few phone calls later, I had a fully decorated place to sleep.
Everything from the furniture to wall art, kitchenware to towels and sheets were waiting for me.
That was convenient, but it wasn’t personal.
Even after a year in LA, the apartment felt as if I was living in someone else’s place.
My new place was the same. Vee’s condo reflected her personality.
The modern, classy style was welcoming and light.
Despite the darkening sky, the golden glow of lights from street level filled the living space with a Thomas Kinkade warm radiance.
I hit the lights and contemplated starting a fire in the fireplace.
Everything looked as it had been when we left in the morning, including the dishes in the sink. Throwing my duffel bag on the bed in the bedroom, I went to the kitchen to remedy the dirty dishes and think about dinner.
Part of me wanted to collapse, but the practical part of me was afraid that if I gave in to my aching body and sat down on the sofa, I wouldn’t get back up. Opening the dishwasher, I arranged our coffee cups, plates, and a frying pan.
The ring of the doorbell echoed throughout the condo.
Vee wouldn’t use the doorbell. I was prepared for another encounter with Kentucky’s finest. Instead, the sweet scent of roses assaulted my senses.
The large bouquet of flowers obscured the delivery person’s face, allowing me to see tan pants and nice leather loafers—expensive for a delivery person.
The flowers moved and I came face-to-face with a man about my age, average build, not too muscular, not overweight, with dark-brown eyes.
“Who the fuck are you?” he said.
“Um, is this a delivery?”
The man leaned one direction and the other as if trying to look into the condo. “Is Vee here?”
I lifted my arm to the doorjamb, flexing my bicep, and narrowed my eyes. “How did you get up here?”
“I told the guard at the elevator I lived here.”
“You don’t live here.”
He took a step back. “Fuck, you’re Graham, from the Coopers.”
“And you are…?”
His facial features contorted. “No fucking way. Are you living here with Vee?”
I could blame it on the hard workouts today, but my brain was obviously processing at a slower than normal rate. A slow smile curled my lips. “Preston Clark, of the horse Clarks.”
“Thoroughbred. Is Vee here?”
“No.” I inhaled, deducing that the roses were masking the scent of manure.
Clark thrust the flowers toward me. “Give these to…” He pulled them back. “Fuck no. Forget it.”
“What is this?” Vee’s voice came from the direction of the elevator.
Clark and I both turned.
“Honey,” I called with as sticky sweet of a voice as I could muster. “You have a visitor.”
Clark turned his attention to Vee. “What the fuck happened? Why do you have a black eye?”
Vee’s fingers went to her cheek. “I was in a minor accident.”
Clark’s jaw clenched. “I’ve called and you haven’t answered or returned my calls.”
“I’m a little busy, Preston. My father just passed away.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I was worried.” He pushed the flowers forward. “I brought these for you. I thought…well, I didn’t want you to be alone.”
“She’s not,” I interjected.
Vee shook her head and gave me a side eye. “That’s very sweet of you.” She stood still, not taking the flowers. “I’m not alone. I am tired, and I want to end this conversation.”
“Is he” —he jutted his chin toward me— “living here?”
We answered simultaneously.
“Yes,” I replied.
“That’s none of your business,” Vee said and turned toward me, her lips pursed and green eyes wide.
I stepped forward, forcing Clark to back up a step or two. His retreat allowed Vee space to enter the condo. “Thanks for stopping by,” I said with a feigned smile. “We’ll have to do this again sometime.”
Clark set his jaw and stared at me.
I stared back, losing the fake grin as Vee walked into the condo. If this guy wanted to go a round or two, while I was sore, I was confident I could wipe the floor with him. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
The vase shattered as Clark dropped the roses at my feet, before turning and walking toward the elevator.
“What happened?” Vee asked, her hand on my back as she and I stared down at the shards of glass and tangled long-stemmed roses. “What an ass.” She bent down.
I pulled her back up. “Stop. I’ll get it. I don’t want you to cut yourself.”
“Okay. Let me get a broom and dustpan.”
Crouching down, my thighs yelled as I began gathering the roses. “Ouch.” I looked down at the drop of blood on my finger. “Damn thorns.”
Vee came back with the kitchen trash container. “Put them in here.”
“Don’t you want to keep them?”
She shook her head.
“That guy has anger issues,” I said. “I’m glad you’re not with him.” A terrible thought came to me, causing me to stop the cleanup and turn to Vee. “Tell me the truth. Did he ever hurt you?” I was ready to run down the stairs and find him in the lobby or out on the street.
“No.” She sighed. “He’s not like that. Part of the reason I broke things off with Preston was that he asked me to move in with him.
I didn’t want to. He asked if he could move in here.
” Vee spoke as she carefully picked up flowers, and I gathered the larger pieces of glass.
“I told him that I wasn’t ready for that.
” She nudged me with her shoulder. “You shouldn’t have said you’re living here. ”
“Well, damn. I didn’t know that part of your history, and let’s face it. Currently, I’m living here.”
“You still have your own place.”
I dropped the last large piece of glass in the trash can and leaned closer. Bringing my lips to hers, I smiled. “I do.”
We stood.
I reached for the broom. “I can get the rest.”
After the hallway floor was clean, I brought the broom, dustpan, and trash can back into the condominium and closed and locked the door. Vee was leaning against the kitchen counter watching me.
Setting the items down, I went to her. Caging her to the counter with one of my arms, I cupped her sore cheek with my other hand.
She inclined her face and sighed.
Leaning forward, I pressed my hips against hers. “You were gorgeous out on the sideline. I was surprised to see you.”
Vee splayed her fingers over my chest. “Are you sore? You kept getting knocked down.”
Reaching for her hand, I gently kissed her tender knuckles. “We may have to share the bath salts tonight.”
Her cheeks rose as she smiled. “I’ve had a crazy day.”
“How about I open the wine we started last night and call downstairs for dinner? Ethan or Jacob can bring it up and we can relax.”
Vee furrowed her brow and tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth. “How did Preston get up here? I never gave him a keycard like you have.”
“He said he told the security guard on the first floor he lives here.”
She pressed her lips together. “We need to let security know. Anyone could do that.”
“Speaking of security…?”
Her emerald eyes gleamed.