Page 130 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

When I make it to the living room, she’s not there. I’m relieved. She couldn’t have heard me from my bedroom. Maybe she’s still in the shower.I’ll join her.

I enter my bedroom. I don’t hear water running. When I walk into my bathroom, she’s not taking a shower.

“Damn it.” She’s gone.

Chapter Forty-Three

He’s in Control

Paisley Grove

Ialmost called Hercules Sunday afternoon to ask if he was finished with work and wanted to get together but decided against it. Who am I kidding? There was no work. I spooked him when I asked about our family feud. I’m not sure if he figured out my true identity, but if he did, I’m sure Garvey, the guard who lets us beyond the checkpoint and into the building, will tell me I am no longer granted access.

I’ve been walking slowly to work. At least Lake called me last night, and she and I met in Chelsea for dinner. I didn't tell her about the sex buffet that’s been going on between Hercules and me. But I listened as she told me about all the fun she's been having with Mason. Apparently, he caught a fever on Saturday morning, and she spent all that day nursing him back to health. They’ve become closer than ever.

“I can’t believe my patience paid off. I think I’m ready to quit,” she said, although her frown was unsure. “Maybe I’ll quit after we getShop-a-Lotrolled out.”

I told her I thought that was a great idea and thanked her for staying on board. By the end of dinner, three of Lake’s friends had joined us, all male and all eccentric. Listening to Bo, short for Bordham, talk about how to trace a bird in flight and Gunther try to figure out how to expand an overcrowded city by building on top of the rivers was exhilarating but depressing. I was once again reminded how everyone except me had big, bold, full lives.

“This is it, Max,” I whisper as I walk toward the drum.

“Who’s Max?” Lake says in my ear.

I jump, startled, nearly falling forward and slamming my head into the glass wall. “Lake,” I chastise her.

She chuckles. “I always get you. You’re probably the only New Yorker who’s this jumpy. I thought you loosened up after last night. We had a good time, didn’t we?”

I feel nauseated and am experiencing vertigo as I stare at Garvey, who’s scanning badges.

“All three of the guys want to know if you’re single,” Lake says as we get in line. “I told them I wasn’t sure. Are you?”

I feel like running away, and I wish Lake would stop talking. “Am I what?”

It’s her turn.Beep. Her badge scans just fine. “Still single. I feel like you’ve been holding out on me.”

The moment of truth has arrived.Beep. It’s green. I can go.

My shoulders loosen, and I sigh with relief. “What did you say?” I ask Lake.

She shakes her head. “What’s wrong with you? Did you get any sleep last night? You don’t look so good.” Suddenly, her eyes expand with panic. “I hope I didn’t get you sick.”

I glance at the private elevators. Hercules is not waiting in front of the door to give me a ride up. “I’m not sick. I’m just tired.”

“Hey,” she says.

I impatiently look into her eyes. “Yes?”

“Are you and he”—she lifts her eyebrows and keeps them high—“involved?”

I know she’s referring to Hercules. My lips are stuck closed as we make our way to the stampede that’s waiting to get inside the elevators.

“Not anymore,” I finally say.

She gasps. “But you were.”

I nod.

Lake frowns sympathetically as she puts an arm around me. “It’s okay, Lark. So, do we hate him, or do we forgive him? Because I’m on your team.”