“I would really, really like that. You know I didn't really have a lot of friends growing up, and then I was so busy, getting married and with everything that happened, and Brie takes up a lot of my time. Part of why I moved here, I just wanted to get away a little bit. Wanted to … I don't know, feel like a grown up. God, that sounds stupid,” Vieve chuckled, turning pink again and starting to collect her stuff.
“It doesn't,” Katya insisted, leaning back as a waiter showed up and set their credit cards on the table. She grabbed hers, then stood up and grabbed her jacket. “I always feel like I'm two steps behind everyone.”
“But you have a career!”
“Yeah, and you went to med school,” she teased. “Doesn't make a difference, I still feel so young compared to almost everyone. I think we were too sheltered growing up.”
“Yes. So much yes to that,” Vieve groaned.
“Well, you'll get to hang out with Tori next time, and she can broaden anyone's horizons,” Katya laughed. “God, I remember this time, she made me break into a ...”
Her voice trailed off before she finished. Her phone had started ringing and when she looked down, she was a little surprised at the number on the screen.
“Into what?” Vieve asked, holding open the front door.
“Sorry, just a second, I need to answer this,” Katya replied.
As she stepped out onto the sidewalk, she gave the other girl an apologetic smile. Then she lifted the phone to her ear and answered the call.
*
Liam angrily paced up and down the hall outside Katya's door.
It was well after four. Hell, it was actually closer to five, now. He'd double checked with her about meeting at four – he'd rearranged his work schedule around it. He'd also tried calling her and texting her.
He'd known she'd taken off around two to meet up with Genevieve Stone, Wulf's sister. That made Liam very, very nervous. What had the two women talked about? Was Vieve telling all kinds of stories? Saying anything to advocate for a beloved older brother?
Bullshit. Liam had put in the time, put in the work. He had earned this win. He deserved to win, to finally beat Wulfric Stone at something. Just the idea that he couldn't get a hold of her because of Wulf was enough to drive Liam insane.
What the fuck do I have to do to come in first!? Why am I always second best!?
He paced for a while longer, texting her increasingly annoyed sounding texts. He even tried texting Tori, but she wasn't answering her phone, either. Finally, when it was a quarter after five, he gave up. He growled and stormed into the elevator, all while banging out one last text to Katya.
This was important to me. I thought it was important to you. The least you could do is answer me, let me know you're okay.
He was frustrated. He was annoyed. He was tired of feeling like he wasn't good enough. And, keeping it completely honest, he was a little hard up. He'd been looking forward to their little meeting on the roof. They'd been sharing a lot of hot kisses, and he had figured it was the perfect time to end their dry streak. He could still remember how she'd looked in her dress the other night, with her hair long and sexy around her face. So incredibly hot, he hadn't been able to get the image out of his head all night.
Now he was left hanging for over an hour, which no excuse or apology forthcoming. He leaned back against the elevator wall, stewing and letting his imagination run wild. He pictured her lunch date with the Stone sister, imagined Wulf showing up. It would be just like the other man to use his family to weasel his way in. It wasn't fair, Liam didn't have a super sweet sister to use to his advantage. Maybe he could call one of his cousins ...
When he finally got out at the lobby, he stood off to the side, trying to calm down. He was over reacting, he knew. More than likely, she'd just gotten caught up with her old friend. Probably reminiscing. Still. It always felt like he was an after thought. Always getting pushed down and pushed aside. Not returning phone calls, not answering texts, canceling plans. The feeling was getting pretty fucking old.
“Hey, I know you,” a voice broke into his thoughts.
Liam glanced to his right and saw a pretty blonde woman. She had clear skin and pink lips and big blue eyes – almost a walking, talking, real-life Barbie. He'd seen her around, she lived in the building he was pretty sure.
“Yeah. Yeah, I live next door. Liam Edenhoff,” he introduced himself, holding out his hand to her.
“Lana Tisdale,” she gave her name through a big smile and placed her hand into his. “I live upstairs.”
“Ah, I thought I recognized you.”
“Really?” she gasped, taking her hand from him and pressing it to her chest. “I can't believe it. I've seen you around for ages, but thought you'd never noticed me.”
“Oh no,” he laughed. “You'd be hard not to notice.”
He wasn't lying. If he'd had to guess, he would've said she was from Los Angeles. Long blonde hair – that shade that isn't found anywhere in nature. A forehead that was smooth and completely devoid of any lines, even when she raised her eyebrows. Breasts that were far too perfect, and a body that looked like it had been sculpted by a professional. A professional who had been very good at his job.
“I met the building manager the other day,” she continued. “Mr. Stone?”
“Ah, yes. Good ol' Mr. Stone. He lives on the top floor.”
“Yes, we went to lunch. He mentioned that you owned the building,” she said. Liam's smile got tight.
“Did he, now?”
“I mean, of course it doesn't matter to me,” she said quickly. “I just wanted to thank the owner in person for providing me with a home, a roof over my head and four walls.”
“And you are very welcome, Ms. Tisdale.”
“Oh, Lana. Always Lana,” she insisted, squeezing his arm affectionately.
He stared down at her for a long moment. She wasn't subtle at all, that was for sure. He'd told Katya once that he'd had female residents offer to fuck him in exchange for reduced or free rent. He hadn't been lying. He wouldn't be shocked to find out she'd made the same approach to Wulf. She said they'd had lunch together – what else had they done together?
And if Wulf had done more than just have lunch with this chick, then he wasn't the good guy that Katya seemed to believe he was. Maybe this was Liam's opportunity to get some real dirt on Wulf. Something that would finally put Liam over the top and help him win this stupid contest, once and for all.
He finally smiled big again and fully turned to face her.
“Well then, always-Lana,” he teased. “How about we think of an interesting way for you to thank me?”
“You're bad!” she giggled. “I would love to invite you up for a drink, but my roommate is doing an online yoga class today, boo. But you live right next door, right? Top floor?”
“I do, in fact.”
“I just love the views from the top floor.”
“Do you? Unfortunately, my brother is visiting at the moment, and he's not feeling very well,” Liam sighed, glancing around.
“That is a shame. I was so hoping to get to know you.”
He didn't really want to go to some bar somewhere, it would be too hard to have an intimate conversation with her. He stared back down at her again, trying not to look at the impressive expanse of cleavage she was showing or how long her legs were under her skirt. His mind started spinning quickly, coming up with an idea.
“Me, too. Maybe we still can ...”