Chapter 7 #2
“The reason I called you is that I’m in a bit of a pickle,” I say, absently biting my nails as I hear some rustling in the background.
“Hold on, Sage is painting my nails,” he says, and I can’t help but laugh at the image that pops into my head. “Okay, I’m all ears.”
“I’m not sure how much attention you’ve paid to the news today, but there’s been a worldwide cyberattack, and all the banks are down.”
Silence follows. I pull the phone back slightly to check the screen. “Hello?”
“Wow. I had no clue,” Gio says after a beat. “I’ve been playing with the kids all day. What do you need?”
A quiet laugh escapes me. Of course, he has. He’s a great dad.
“Do you happen to have seventy grand lying around?” I ask, even though I don’t expect him to.
“Actually, I think I do,” he says, completely unfazed.
“Shit. You’re such a billionaire,” I tease, shaking my head.
He laughs, the sound deep and easy. “Well, Ms. Levine, that’s on you. I was just lucky enough to hire you to manage my fortune.”
“True,” I say, a small smile forming as a familiar sense of pride settles around me. “Do you mind if I stop by tomorrow morning? I’m sure the employees would appreciate getting paid on time, even with everything going on.”
“Of course. You can stop by any time,” Gio says sincerely.
Sage giggles in the background, and my smile lingers. I’ve never felt the urge to become a mom, but I adore Gio and Ruin’s kids. They bring so much joy everywhere they go.
“Hi, Penny,” Ruin’s voice comes through the phone, and my smile widens.
“Hey, girly, how are you?”
“Good, good. Freezing like a popsicle over here since my husband just got his nails done and can’t start the fireplace.”
I cackle at Ruin’s indignant tone, then quickly press my lips together, remembering she’s pregnant and her hormones might be all over the place.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’ll go set it up right away. I didn’t realize you were that cold,” Gio says in the background.
“Anyway,” Ruin continues. “Please don’t risk driving in the snow. Come spend the night here. We have plenty of room.”
Her words sober me instantly. I still remember when Gio lost contact with her—how she ended up in the hospital after a terrible car accident and woke up without those last four years of her life, including him.
It feels like a lifetime ago now. They’ve built something beautiful since then—marriage, two kids, and another on the way.
“I’ll be fine,” I say softly, though I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince Ruin or myself.
She lets out a heavy sigh. “Okay, it’s your call. But please let us know when you get to Charlotte. I’ll be worried sick until then.”
Guilt tugs at me. I hate the idea of worrying a pregnant woman, but it’s not like the roads are buried under a foot of snow. I’ll be fine.
“I will. Now go sit by the fire. I’m sure Gio already has it going for you.”
After a quick goodbye, I hang up and start shutting everything down, feeling lighter now that I’ve figured out a way to have payroll ready for tomorrow.
As I make my way to my car, it takes everything in me not to look around for Miles. His truck is still in the parking lot, but everyone else seems to be gone.
Heavy footsteps approach from behind, and when I turn, Miles is jogging toward me.
“Hey, I’m glad I caught you before you left,” he says, slightly out of breath.
I arch a brow, and he answers with that smirk that does absolutely nothing to steady me.
“I just wanted to offer you my place for the night,” he says.
My eyes widen, both brows lifting.
“No, it’s not like a booty call,” he adds quickly, and I roll my eyes, which only makes him chuckle. “I got a message from the Western NC meteorology system. Snow’s supposed to come down hard over the next couple of hours. They’re advising people to stay off the roads.”
“So how are you getting home?” I ask, crossing my arms.
He tilts his head and gives me a look.
I shrug.
“One, I’ve got a big-ass truck,” he says, counting on his fingers. “Two, I’ve got chains on my tires for traction. And three, my commute is a couple of miles—not a hundred like yours.”
I roll my eyes, but a flutter stirs in my chest at the fact that he knows how long my commute is. Like, what? Is he actually paying attention like that? Is he really worried?
“I don’t know if Ruin put you on the case, but as I told your sister, I’ll be alright,” I say, not letting the damn butterflies take over my brain.
“I better get going before the snow fully covers my car,” I add with a small laugh.
He gives me a look that makes it clear he doesn’t agree with my decision.
“The offer still stands. And now you have my number in case you need it,” he says as he closes my car door once I’m inside.
I nod and give him a small wave before starting the engine.
After setting up the snow traction in my car and turning on the seat heater, I slowly pull onto the road, driving carefully as the snow starts to stick.
Before I completely lose sight of the construction site, I glance in my rearview mirror and find him still standing there.
Snow is already starting to cover his coat.
What would have happened tonight if I had agreed to spend the night at his place?
I guess I’ll never know.