Page 118 of The Arrogant One

“Was I supposed to? I feel like you called to throw up—and I’m gagging with you. Like a few years ago, when we hit the tequila too hard and one of us was puking in the sink while the other was heaving in the toilet.”

My cheeks puffed out as I moaned, “Bryn …”

“Listen, it’s a good thing you have DF-specific jewelry that you only wear during filming, or he would have—shit! Did he notice your bracelet in the bar? And he compared that with the pictures that were posted onSeenand on your social media? Is that how he connected you two?”

My stomach dropped.

I hadn’t even thought of that.

Because, normally, I never ran into anyone I knew while I was filming content.

I was always so careful, but I hadn’t anticipated seeing Lockhart that night. And when I did, it hadn’t even dawned on me to take off myjewelry.

“I don’t know. He didn’t say anything about the bracelet or earrings or any of that.” As the elevator opened, I stepped out and walked through the small lobby. “Regardless, I need to come clean. If I don’t, I’m going to explode.”

“What did your boss say about that? You know, with your whole NDA and everything?”

As I approached the lobby door, I reached for the handle and pulled it toward me. Just as I was about to walk through, I stopped myself before I ran into the large body that was walking in at the same time I was walking out.

“I’m sorry—” My voice cut off as I glanced up, my eyes connecting with his.

Lockhart.

Oh my God.

I heard myself gasp.

I felt myself almost drop the phone.

“Sadie, are you okay?” Bryn asked.

I couldn’t answer her.

I had no words left. Whatever had been there … was gone.

This was just like the night I’d met Lockhart at Horned, reaching for the door at the same time, except here we were, on opposite sides.

And I was sure the expression on my face had been much different on that day compared to what was showing now.

“Hello, Sadie.” The shock in his eyes was as thick as it was in mine.

“Oh fuck! Is that Lockhart I just heard? Is he there? Sadie, answer me,” Bryn screeched.

He stood in the doorway, a gift basket in his hand, his presence preventing me from leaving and mine stopping him from coming in.

And the longer we stood there in silence, I saw his eyeschange. What was in them and on his lips wasn’t a look of shock. Something else had replaced it.

What I saw now was confidence.

Because he knew exactly who I was.

“Hi, Lockhart.” My anxiety peaked so fast that my chest began to heave, ensuring it would be a long time before I could take a breath again.

“Tell me”—his stare intensified—“what are you doing atSeen?”

THIRTY-ONE

Hart