Page 63 of Perfect Rhythm

“I...I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sorry too. That was the last fucking straw. I can forgive you for a lot of things. But a baby? That’s not one of them.”

“Okay…just let me explain.”

She hung up, tossed her phone on the table, and stood there.

No words. No tears. Just silence.

Then...she broke.

26

NYX

Popping up at Shade’s penthouse in the middle of the day was probably a terrible idea. Especially after last night. Knowing him, he’d probably used some random chick to help himrelax. That wasn’t my concern though. I wasn’t trying to go inside or catch a show. I just wanted to hit the front desk and tell them to have him send down my car keys. Oh, and my phone, if he’d found it.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” I asked Skye as I stepped out of her car.

“Yes, I’ll be fine.”

“Look, I can just grab my car and go right back to your place. I don’t want you to?—”

“I’m fine. Really,” she insisted.

I looked her over, assessing if she was okay enough to be left alone. But maybe a little alone time was what she needed. I didn’t want to smother her.

“Okay. I’ll check on you once I leave here.”

She tilted her head. “Speaking of us being here, I don’t remember you mentioning how your car ended up here last night.”

“It’s a long story.”

“Hmm...I bet,” she shot back. “Are you and Shade finally fucking?”

“No!”

“Close to fucking?”

“No!”

She stared me down, her eyes saying that she was far from convinced about my last answer. But now wasn’t the time for that discussion. She had enough on her plate, and after all of the exhaustion, the only thing I wanted to do was get my shit and go home.

“You’re lucky I don’t have the energy to get all up in your business. Because if I did?—”

“Byeeeeeeee,” I said teasingly before shutting the door and giving her a playful wave.

She rolled down the window. “You’re not slick, Nyx.”

“No one’s trying to be slick.”

“Yeah, well, seeing as your man was out here screwing someone else, I think it’s pretty fair that you do the same. In fact, go get you some mid-afternoon dick.” She sighed. “I swear I would if there was somebody I wanted to get it from.”

My mouth dropped. “I’m not doing that.”

“Why the hell not?”

“Because I’m just not. Now, bye.” I turned away from her and strolled past my car to make sure it was still good. Needless to say, it was fine. Shade’s building was under constant surveillance.