6. Alexis
‘Holy cow, babe. How did you swing this deal? Are you allowed visitors? How about an additional roomie? Staying here would be infinitely preferable to dealing with Gabe on my couch. The guy likes to walk around naked and doesn’t care if his sister is in the room. It’s totally gross.’
Alexis laughed at Sarah’s traumatised facial expression. She’d found out after telling her bestie she’d be taking a house-sitting gig that Sarah had been working up the courage to inform her she wouldn’t be able to stay much longer anyway. Sarah was moving. Apparently, her parents were calling in the “we-own-the-place” card and they wanted to renovate. They had another property Sarah could move into, but it was on the proviso that her brother Gabe move in too. Alexis couldn’t really argue with them.
‘I’m sorry you’re going to have to deal with that, but no. Evelyn specifically said I couldn’t have guests because her cat hates noise, and apparently the sound of two people chatting is too much for its precious ears.’ She pointed inside to the coffee shop, which was visible from where they stood on the street. ‘But you can come and hang with me there anytime. Plus, I looked up the building’s facilities. They have an amazing-looking pool, a steam room, and two magnesium hot tubs. I’ll see if I can sneak you in to use them once I’m settled.’
‘You better. Especially because I’m helping you move all your crap. By the way, considering you’ve had next to no income until now, I don’t know how you accumulated so much stuff in such a short amount of time.’
Alexis looked at the pile of boxes at her feet. They had just unloaded them from Sarah’s parents’ SUV. She had to agree with Sarah; she had way too much stuff for someone who had only begun to rebuild their life two months ago.
‘Can you help me move everything into the lobby before you go? At least that way, nothing will get stolen. Then you can go home and prepare for Gabe’s arrival. Maybe buy him a bathrobe or something.’
Sarah shook her head. ‘Ick. I’m already anticipating having to live with my eyes permanently shut whenever he’s in the apartment. But anyway, yes, I’ll help you move your stuff. Oh, by the way. I’ve got a new mobile number.’
‘What? Why?’
Sarah shrugged. ‘Too many spam calls. I’m so over them. I got a new phone, so I figured I’d get a new number while I was at it.’
Sarah sent a text to Alexis, and she saved the new number. It didn’t make sense, but Alexis just went with it.
‘Now, let’s get this stuff unpacked.’
Ten minutes later, Alexis farewelled her friend and surveyed the mountain beside the elevator. There was no way she’d be able to transfer everything in one trip. Hopefully the building’s residents wouldn’t mind if she was gone momentarily.
After calling the elevator, she picked up a large bag and pulled the strap over her shoulder. She then lifted a box and pushed another with one of her feet.
Evelyn lived in an actual penthouse. Not one of the sub-penthouses Levi had. Alexis found a strange pleasure in living on the floor above him in a bigger residence, even if it wasn’t hers.
But she could pretend it was for the next six months.
When she opened the door, her breath caught in her throat. How did places like this even exist? It was practically a mansion in a building. Where Levi had opted for a contemporary look with his décor, Evelyn was clearly a fan of the 1920s. The colour theme was pink and gold, and there was velvet and feather detailing on everything. Even the wallpaper was pale pink and overlaid with metallic half circles.
Alexis giggled. This was insane. She really had struck it lucky. She couldn’t see any sign of the cat, but she assumed it would be around somewhere. She’d check after collecting another load.
She quickly dropped the bag and left the two boxes just inside the door before heading back to the elevator.
Down in the lobby, she paused when she saw someone hovering near the boxes while talking loudly on their phone. They were facing the other way but looked annoyingly familiar.
‘Yes, can you please get one of the cleaners to remove the junk in the lobby? It’s blocking the path and poses a tripping hazard.’
‘Hey!’ Alexis ran over. Levi turned and frowned, pointing to his phone as if to say, ‘Can’t you see I’m talking to someone?’
‘This is my stuff. I’m in the process of moving it,’ she explained patiently.
He raised an eyebrow but seemed willing to suspend his phone conversation temporarily. ‘Uh, never mind. I’ll call you back.’
He lowered the handset and stared at her. ‘Why are you clogging up the lobby?’
‘Just because you live here doesn’t mean you own the entire building. And for the record, you’re welcome for me helping you into your bed the other day. I could have left you lying on the cold, hard floor, but instead, I practically killed myself making you comfortable.’
He narrowed his eyes. ‘What?’
‘You heard me.’
His face registered confusion and then realisation, but it quickly returned to what Alexis now assumed was a semi-permanent scowl. ‘You shouldn’t have been in my apartment in the first place. It’s your fault I had to get out of bed and see who was disturbing the quiet. If you think about it, you’re responsible for me passing out.’
‘Oh my God. Are you for real?’
He ignored her incredulity. ‘What are you doing here anyway?’
‘For your information, I live here now.’ She decided not to tell him she was only house-sitting. He didn’t need to know details like that.
He raised an eyebrow. ‘You live here?’
‘Yes. Why? Don’t I look like I can afford to?’
‘Frankly, no.’
‘Not everyone wears their money so obviously.’ If she’d wanted to, once upon a time, she could have asked Jack to buy her a place like this—but she’d wanted to make her own way in the world. The Audi he’d gifted her was the only luxury—apart from living in the family home rent-free—that she had accepted. She’d even offered to pay board, but Jack wouldn’t allow it. The original value of the estate had been paid for with old family money, and the only outstanding costs were those that covered renovations, upkeep, and utility bills.
Alexis had also never been the type of person to dress in designer wear unless it was a particularly attractive piece that suited her. She preferred cute, simple clothes that made her feel good.
‘You didn’t sound at all elitist just now,’ Alexis drawled.
‘I don’t care how I sounded. I just need to get to the damned elevator so I can return to my apartment and avoid talking to people like you.’
‘That sounded even more douchey. Well, the least you can do is hold the elevator open so I can transport a couple more boxes before the door closes on me.’
‘I’m not your removalist.’
‘I never said you were. But most decent human beings would help a person if they could. And it will unclog the lobby more quickly if you do.’
He huffed. ‘Fine. But don’t expect me to come back down and help you with another load.’
‘Heaven forbid you do anything outside your bubble of privilege.’
He ignored her and strode over to the elevator, swiping his card as if slapping someone across the face.
Alexis held in a smile. The guy was ridiculously high-strung.
She was now doubly glad she lived on the floor above him.
Maybe she could have a little fun with it.