This he could handle. Some of the tension eased from his shoulders. A ball of anxiety still kicked around in his gut, but the memories of the night helped with that. “I thought that went well.”
“That is the least romantic thing I’ve ever heard you say.” She took his hand. “But, so we’re clear, I don’t want you to see anyone else either.”
It took a second for the words to filter through his brain, along with the male panic from the word dating, but they got through. He squeezed her fingers. “Then it’s settled.”
“I’m not a hundred percent sure that’s true, but fine.” She let go and turned back to the bed. “Let me finish grabbing some clothes and other stuff.”
He should have declared that a victory and pulled back. Should have, but there was one more thing. “We have another issue.”
She laughed. “You think we only have two?”
There was nothing amusing about this topic. Not for Wren. “Tyler got into your building.”
She shrugged as she folded up a T-shirt and tucked it into the corner of her bag. “It happens in apartment buildings all the time. He buzzes another unit from outside and keeps doing it until someone lets him in.”
Since he needed her to hear what he was saying, he walked up next to her, facing her. “I meant that the guard stationed outside didn’t say Tyler was here.”
Her head shot up and she stared at him. “Say it when?”
A strange need to shut this conversation down stole over him. He wasn’t the type to ignore problems, but part of him sensed this might be a time where the messenger—namely, him—suffered the brunt of her anger.
He showed her the message on his cell. “No report of a Tyler sighting, which means he got in without coming through the front door.”
Instead of getting angry, she held on to his hand and the phone and read through the message on the screen. Looked like she read it a second time before glancing up again. “How is that possible? He shouldn’t know about the back exit.”
A shot of relief had him fighting to keep from gulping in air. “We’ll figure that out when we watch the surveillance tape.”
She made a face. “Now you’re making me nervous.”
“Good.”
Emery couldn’t stop mentally replaying the scene from the bedroom. A week ago, even five days ago, with all that happened there she would have gotten stuck on the questions about Tyler. The part about him just showing up, the timing . . . how he got into her building unseen. There was an explanation, of course, but she would have asked for it.
But her focus had shifted ever so slightly. All she could think about was Wren. They were dating. That was such a big word. When she mentioned it, tested the word, she’d been so sure he’d run and blow a Levi-sized hole through her front door on the way out. Didn’t happen.
He was a constant surprise. So was the fact she’d brought him to work. That hadn’t been planned, but then nothing with him had been. He followed her to the coffee shop and he’d been in her thoughts—actually with her—so much since then.
Heads turned as they walked down the aisle separating one side of cubicles from the other. One volunteer winked at her. Another openly stared. Emery got it. Wren’s face and confidence. The way he moved, tall and so sure of his place in the world. Everything about him commanded attention.
Not that his ego exploded from any of it. He nodded hello and that was about all. He didn’t do that guy thing where he scanned the room for the prettiest woman. He kept his hand on her back and moved them from one end of the room to the other.
They stopped at the entrance to Caroline’s office. She had a door, but it was always open. This time was no different. She was up and waiting by the time they got there. Emery figured the strange silence that fell over the room drew her out.
Caroline ushered them inside and circled back to her desk. She stood by her desk and didn’t offer them a chair. Right now, there was nowhere to sit. Case files lined almost every inch of the place.
“This is unexpected. I thought you’d stay home, Emery.” Caroline glanced at Wren. “And I’m only guessing at who you are. I have to say I didn’t think I’d ever meet you, but your reputation is impressive.”
To wipe out any awkwardness, mostly hers, Emery fell back on introductions. “This is Caroline Montgomery. My boss.”
Wren reached out and shook her hand. “Ms. Montgomery.”
“Please call me Caroline.” She bit down on her lower lip as if she was trying to keep from smiling. “And I should call you . . . ?”
Wren shot Emery a side glance before looking at Caroline again. “Actually—”
Emery rushed to fill in the blank. “Brian Jacobs.”
“Huh.” Caroline treated them to a slow nod. “Okay.”