Chapter 4 #2
A few minutes later, Grandma was gone. I peeked in the envelope and silently thanked God for my grandmother.
I counted the cash, separated rent money, and set it on Brianna’s nightstand.
Then, I closed my laptop and headed to my first destination.
No time like the present to shift my focus back to this case.
The sooner I figured it out, the sooner I could move on, away from Wes.
To find the culprit, I had to figure out what Wes was doing when the videos started. I also needed to monitor his movements, observe his interactions, familiarize myself with his everyday contacts.
It didn’t take me long to find him either.
A quick call to his secretary told me everything I needed to know.
He’d always been a creature of habit, so I was able to track him at his favorite breakfast spot.
From there, I’d tailed him to the gym and watched him play basketball with Hendrix and some of his friends.
Around lunchtime, he’d grabbed lunch at the café next to the fitness center.
Inside the café, I’d hunkered down at a corner booth.
I tried not to pay attention to the way he smiled at the barista or flirted with the women seated near him.
He seemed at ease there, like he knew the regulars and enjoyed the company.
I made a mental note to speak with one of the women behind the counter, the only one who didn’t seem affected by Wes’s charm.
Pulling my cap down over my eyes, I tucked my phone in my purse. While I hated to leave in the middle of the day, I also didn’t want to take a chance that he would spot me. After I finished my coffee, I hurried toward the door only to be blocked by the man that I was supposed to be hiding from.
He raised a brow. “Care to tell me why you’ve been following me?”
Damn it. So much for being incognito.
Wesley
I stared at Albany. I told myself that I was studying her to figure out her angle, to try and throw her off her game, but the truth was I simply couldn’t take my eyes off of her.
The stress of the day, the buzz of activity in the café …
Everything had faded away. Now, I was stuck in this silent bubble with her, unwilling to burst it for fear that our past would destroy the tiny sliver of peace I felt.
We sat across from each other, so close I could smell Albany’s skin.
Orange blossoms and vanilla … Intoxicating.
Back in the day, her scent could simultaneously calm my nerves and drive me crazy with need for her.
Even after all these years, that hadn’t changed.
Except, she no longer smelled like a teenager wearing Bath and Body Works body spray. Albany was a grown woman.
It wasn’t until I’d left the gym that I noticed her.
Not because she was sloppy, but because I sensed she was there.
I couldn’t explain it. Never could. When she was around, I was aware.
It was like our small interaction in the elevator had awakened my Albany Meter.
And I couldn’t turn it off because I was tuned in to her.
Just being near her now was bringing up emotions I’d considered long buried.
Over the years, I’d missed her. Although our relationship ended before we ever really got started, the friendship we once shared had meant everything to me.
Until I got in my own way and fucked it up.
Guilt washed through me as I replayed that night over and over in my mind.
The way she’d looked baring her soul to me, the soft brush of her lips against mine, the feel of her body underneath me …
She’d given me a huge piece of herself that night, and I’d squandered it because I was so engrossed in my own pain.
And I’d never forgiven myself for hurting her the way I had.
“Wes?”
Her voice brought me back to the present and I blinked. Shifting in my seat, I leaned forward, ready to talk.
She backed away. “Are you going to stop staring and say something?”
“I’m sorry,” I told her.
At that point, I didn’t care why she was there, why she’d been watching me all morning.
I didn’t even care that she hated me, that she wouldn’t mind punching me in the jaw like she did when I broke her favorite doll.
I just wanted to know her again, wanted to sit with her, even if that meant we sat in silence.
“How are you?” I asked, fighting the urge to hold her hand, to kiss her wrist the way I’d done countless times before.
Albany’s lips formed a thin line. “You sat here like you have something to say,” she said through clenched teeth. “Talk.”
I shouldn’t have felt offended by her abrasive tone, but I couldn’t help but wish things were different between us. Since I didn’t want to keep her where she didn’t want to be, I said, “Why are you following me?”
Holding her chin high, she grumbled, “The gym, right?”
I nodded. “It’s not your fault that old lady asked you to help her figure out the treadmill.”
A small smile tugged at her lips before she steeled her expression. “She was cute. Reminded me of one of Grandma’s friends.”
“You had to help her,” I said matter-of-factly.
“Exactly.”
We sat in silence for a moment. Shifting in my chair, I pressed, “Well? You didn’t answer the question.”
Clearing her throat, she met my gaze. “I’m working.”
“On?” When she didn’t answer right away, I continued. “I assume your current job has something to do with me.” She didn’t react to my assertion, so I kept going. “I googled you yesterday.”
The lie wasn’t easy to tell—not to her. But I figured it would make matters worse if she knew I’d kept tabs on her all along.
I wasn’t a stalker by any means, but I’d made sure to check on her every now and then.
And I used Hendrix’s connection to Albany’s best friend to my advantage.
When Brianna was around, she’d inevitably bring her up in conversation.
“What did you find out?” she asked.
Over the years, I’d found out a lot of things, but I wouldn’t tell her that. Instead, I decided to keep it simple. “You’re a PI. Nice website, by the way. Complimentary reviews too. Who hired you to tail me?”
She sighed. “Technically, it’s confidential. But my client gave me permission to divulge if necessary.” Leaning back in her chair, she folded her arms over her breasts. “Your grandmother hired me to find out who Ms. Tea is.”
Curious, I watched her intently for a moment before I said, “You know about that?”
“Who doesn’t?” she retorted.
I tapped my thumb against the table. “What else did Granny tell you?”
She shrugged. “The only thing you need to know is she hired me to do a job. That’s why I’m here.”
“Is that the only reason?” I challenged.
“Why else would I be here? We’re not friends. We don’t talk. I have no reason to deal with you.”
“Bug …” It had been years since I’d called her by that nickname. It felt good. Right. “I—”
She held up a hand. “Don’t, Wes. We’re not good. This isn’t a catch-up session. And my name is Albany.”
I didn’t need a reminder of who she was. “Point taken,” I conceded. “It’s been a long time. I guess I have to get used to being around you and not being able to talk to you.”
“Why is that a problem for you now? You didn’t feel the need to talk to me when you moved to the other side of the state without even saying goodbye.
You didn’t feel the need to answer any of my calls or even write a two-sentence reply to one of my letters.
” She blew out a harsh breath. “I’ve wasted so much time analyzing that night, wondering if I did something wrong. ”
My heart squeezed in my chest as shame rolled through me like waves. I absolutely deserved her rage, but … the pain on her face combined with the searing guilt that had settled in my gut nearly broke me. “You did nothing wrong.”
“Oh, I know that. Now.” She cursed under her breath, but then she sat up, spine straight, eyes boring into mine. “But that’s neither here nor there. The facts haven’t changed. You hurt me. Fuck you.”
I blinked. This Albany wasn’t a stranger to me. She was feisty, secure, and strong. And that’s why I loved her. “If I could go back to that night …” My words trailed off because there was no good excuse for the way I’d left things.
“Are we done here?” She arched a brow. “I have things to do.”
But I didn’t want her to go, and damn it, I was going to prolong this as long as I could. “Like what?”
She scoffed. “Seriously? Why would I tell you anything about my life?”
“You don’t have to tell me about your life,” I said lamely. Because, yep … I was acting like a desperate muthafucka fighting a losing battle to hold on to something that was lost to me forever.
“I’m glad you know that.”
“What have you found out about Ms. Tea?”
Albany leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.
“She’s local. She doesn’t like you. Or she’s pretending not to like you.
She’s familiar with your habits because you never change.
This is why she’s able to catch you doing your dirt.
A former lover? Maybe a nosy neighbor? Family, perhaps?
Someone with a definite axe to grind. And your head is her target.
This is also why you’re in deep shit if we don’t unmask her soon. ”
“Granny told you my job is on the line.” It wasn’t a question because I already knew the answer.
“What do you think?” she tossed back with a hard roll of her beautiful, expressive eyes. Back then, I could always tell what she was thinking just by looking into those brown orbs. Obviously, she’d schooled herself to be less obvious in her reactions, but … I know her.
“So why accept the job?” Her phone buzzed and she glanced at the screen. As she peered down, I noticed the furrow that formed on her brow. “Albany?”
She muttered a curse and stood. “My reasons are none of your business anymore. If I have any questions about your influencer, I’ll reach out. Otherwise, just let me do my job. Don’t approach me, don’t talk to me. Have a good day.”
Then she left, taking my heart with her.