Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Calvin

I pull up to the Dakota and hop out, handing the keys to the attendant. "I'll be back down in five," I say, despite knowing it will likely be three times that.

An elderly woman, wearing a bright purple hat with a well-groomed dog wearing a matching one, exits the building. I've seen her before in the lobby. Caroline's sourpuss neighbor. I offer a greeting and get a shifty-eyed suspicious glance in return. "I don't know you. You live here?"

I shake my head. "Just visiting."

"Whom are you visiting?"

I feel like I'm back in elementary school being admonished by my second grade teacher. "Caroline Page."

She scrunches her nose. "She a friend of yours or?—"

So much for the premium New Yorkers put on privacy. I don't answer her question mostly because I don't know the answer. Instead, I say, "Your dog is adorable, Mrs. . . ."

She looks like she'd rather pass out than tell me her name but she's stuck. "Reinhold," she says, before walking away with a grumble.

In Africa everyone greeted each other warmly. You're not in Tanzania anymore, I tell myself.

I hurry inside and catch a glimpse of my reflection in the ornate walls mirrors. I'm wearing a coat over my t-shirt, a few teeth visible beneath my collar. Though the beard is under control, I need a shave badly. I'm starting to think the old lady was pretty darn brave to even look me in the eye.

Larry gives me a nod as I cross the grand lobby and head to the elevator. Like last time he doesn't ring up Caroline to inform her of my arrival. I push the up button and the doors pull open. My heart takes a giant leap.

"Hey, Calvin. Beat you to it."

Caroline's curves are covered in hiking gear, a striking contrast to the elegance I'm used to. Her blond hair is pulled back into a high ponytail, a look I haven't seen on her, ever. Come to think of it, I've never seen her in anything but haute couture or a hospital gown. She's a vision, and the sight of her stirs something deep inside me—a flutter of desire that leaves me momentarily breathless.

I stand back, allowing Caroline to pull her rolling suitcase off the elevator, noting her scuff-free Timberlands. I don't mention that it's actually snow gear that she'll need but I love that she's getting into the right mindset.

A tag is dangling from the waist of her Gore-Tex pants.

I swallow hard. "Turn around."

"Hmm?"

I move to pull off the tag and she jumps a bit. "Sir, where exactly are your hands?" Her tone is somewhere between shocked and amused.

I chuckle, nervously. Does she actually think I'm going to pat her booty right here in the open?

I snap off the tag.

"Oh," Caroline says, a fleeting blush tinging her cheeks. "Thanks."

I hold in my grin. "How and when did you have time to go shopping for outdoor clothes?"

She looks down at her attire, probably as surprised to see herself in them as I am. "They were for my trip to Yosemite that I missed. Do I look okay?"

More like, incredible .

I give her a thumbs up. "Lookin' good," I say, inanely. "The trip with your friend, Evie, right?"

She nods. "The wardrobe turned out to be convenient."

"And here I thought you'd be wearing your high heels and fur stole."

Caroline lets go of her bag's handle and puts her hands on her waist, her tone sultry. "I'll have you know, Cal , I can blend into the mountains like a chameleon."

I'm not used to the flirtatious banter. It's giving me a high. "Is that so?"

I take hold of the suitcase. "Ready for your relaxing getaway?"

"Yep."

The one word reply is said with a measure of skepticism.

"It's going to be epic," I say.

Caroline pulls out her phone. "I need to get back to Sam. There's a crisis with the fundraiser and I left her hanging. One of our major donors is threatening to pull out because of the news leak regarding the court case. They don't want their name associated with a strife-ridden family drama."

I open my mouth to tell her that this is precisely why she is getting away and maybe waiting until she's back in town to manage things would be a better idea. Instead I say, "Fine. But the moment we cross the state line, I don't want to see that phone again."

The words come out bossier than intended. She gives me a look and I brace myself for push back. It doesn't come.

"Doctor's orders," I add more reasonably.

I watch as Caroline's fingers fly over the device. "I'm telling Sam to manage the crisis herself. I know she can do it."

I note the strain around her eyes, the tension in her jaw. I have never felt prouder of my friend. She's determined to get better. I hurry with her to the car.

The attendant helps me heave the case into the trunk then opens the passenger door for Caroline. "Madame."

Caroline hops into my car and off we go.