19. Hayden

Nerves ate at my intestines as I approached Preston Estates after work.

I had worried about Gabriella all day, and it took everything I had not to either call or stop by on my lunch break to check on her.

Unfortunately, the Shoes department needed to finish up our portfolio for the presentation on Friday, so I hadn’t been able to leave work. But I’d been so distracted I couldn’t even tell you what kinds of decisions we’d come to. So I was inordinately pleased to see Gabby waiting for me outside at the curb when I arrived, looking completely okay.

She sat on the ledge of a concrete wall that housed flowers and plants, swinging her legs with a garment bag draped over one shoulder and her purse at her side as she sucked on a lollipop.

I swear, it was the most welcome sight I’d seen all day.

And fuck, she looked extra hot when she licked once, then winked at me before popping the sucker back in as she hopped down to the sidewalk and strolled toward my car.

Everything inside me surged