Taking a deep breath, I placed the wrapped book pile under one arm and opened the door. As I stepped through, the guards looked over. One grunted and nodded toward the elevator. With a smile, I made my way there and pressed the button. It now seemed like the guards weren’t worried about me. I could have gotten away with hiding the books, damn it.

My stomach kicked up its fluttering when the doors opened, and I stepped into the elevator. I knew there were cameras; I’d seen them. It meant I couldn’t drop the books and rest my hands on my knees while I hyperventilated.

Stupid books. Stupid me for being nice.

The ride up went too fast, and when I stepped into the condo, I knew Adrik wouldn’t be waiting, so I quickly made my way into the kitchen before my nerves got the better of me and I hid in the closet.

The lack of scent hit me as soon as I reached the kitchen and didn’t find Adrik in there. He wasn’t cooking. Had I gone on about his food being amazing too much, and it put him off? Or was it the mention of cooking for his family that had done it?

Dear God, why did he want me back if he didn’t like what I said? Again, I’d been surprised when Country told me I was coming back and that Adrik had booked me for the next two months on every second weekend. I acted cool when he’d said it, but on the inside, I was throwing rainbow glitter all around while dancing and singing.

Which wasn’t a good sign. I was too happy to come back.

Although I wasn’t so sure, because with Adrik not cooking, what did it mean? What would we be doing? I doubted having a deep and meaningful chat would be on the cards.

I placed the books on the counter and stilled when I heard pounding footsteps in the house. Could he have forgotten I was coming?

Adrik turned into the kitchen with his phone in hand. He took my breath away. He wore a dark blue suit with a white shirt under it. “We eat out,” he stated. His eyes landed on the wrapped present, and he stopped still.

“So… um, I got you a little something. It’s only small…. Well, it looks big, but really the…. If you don’t like it, I’ll take it and give it to a friend… but you might like it.” His gaze lifted to mine, and my lips snapped shut because intensity filled his eyes.

He moved to the counter and unwrapped the gift in seconds. The pile of books slid to the side.