Page 120 of The Arrogant One

Didn’t she want us?

“Lockhart—” She cut herself off as she wiped her eyes. “I …”

I knew she wasn’t going to admit to anything here.

Not with people in the lobby.

Not with more people going in through the door on the other side of the entrance since we were blocking this one.

My patience for listening to any more bullshit was nonexistent.

All I wanted was to get the fuck out of here.

I set the gift basket in her open arm. “Why don’t you give this to her? Seems like you’ll be able to reach her a lot faster than I can.”

I moved my shoulder off the door and headed for my car.

“Lockhart!” Sadie yelled. A few seconds later, I heard, “Lockhart,” again.

I had no intention of turning around or giving her another second of my time.

Fuck that.

How could she continue lying to me? Living a double life?

Were we a lie?

Jesus Christ, I felt sick.

I walked even faster and got into the driver’s seat of my Audi. The second I revved the engine, getting ready to pull away, a text came across the dashboard.

Alexa, Sous Chef—Charred LA

I’ve thought long and hard about this, and the only conclusion I can come up with—and I know this makes no sense at all—is that the white blob is a scallop. Perhaps the ones Walker made the evening that your girlfriend was dining with us? I ran the idea by Walker, and he agrees. Which, again, makes no sense, but it’s the only answer I have for you. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful.

Exactly what I suspected.

Motherfucker.

I pounded my fist on thesteering wheel.

And then I pulled out my phone and typed a reply.

Me

Thanks, Chef. I appreciate you getting back to me.

THIRTY-TWO

Sadie

“It’s me,” I said into the speaker outside Lockhart’s gate about an hour after I ran into him atSeen. “Will you please let me in? We need to talk.”

There was no way I was going to let another day pass without telling him the truth. Based on how he had reacted atSeen, I could only imagine what was running through his head. I wanted him to hear my side, and what he did with that information, I couldn’t predict.

I could only hope.

“Sadie …”