Taking a deep breath, I get out of my car, hands still trembling, and I walk to the main doors.
As I’m walking, it dawns on me that he might not actually be here. I know his note said he left early because of a work emergency, but I thought that was a lie. And it is a Sunday. I figure the office would be closed. So, he could actually be at the hotel or anywhere else.
Crap.
Well, I’m here now. Might as well check it out.
When I get there, the main door is locked. But I can see a huge-looking guy with a bald head, wearing a security uniform, sitting in the reception area. His eyes are looking down at the desk, probably reading a magazine. Well, that’s what I would do if I were stuck in an empty office building on a Sunday afternoon.
I tap on the glass door, catching his attention.
He looks at me, so I wave my hand.
He gets up from his chair, not looking particular happy about the fact, and walks over to the doors.
He stops by the door and gives me a look that screams, What the fuck do you want?
“I, um…is Mr. Gunner here?” I say through the glass.
“Who’s asking?”
“Evie. Evie Taylor.” I won’t pull the wife card again.
“Well, Evie-Evie Taylor, you are out of luck. Mr. Gunner isn’t here.”
Fuck. Fuckity fuck!
Fine, I’ll just ring him and find out where he is.
I turn to leave, then, I realize that I don’t have my cell with me. It’s in my bag, which I left at home.
Triple fuck!
Fine, I’ll just go to the hotel, and if he’s not there, then I’ll go home and get my cell— Hang on.
I turn back to the glass door and rap on it again, louder this time.
Huge guy had almost made it back to the reception desk.
He stops and lets out what looks like a massive sigh. Then, he turns back to me and marches over again.
“What?” he says loudly.
“You said Mr. Gunner isn’t here.”
“He isn’t.” His expression practically growls at me.
“But that’s his car right there.” I point to the black Range Rover Sport, which took me to Malibu yesterday. I recognize the license plate.
His eyes narrow on me. “Look, girlie, I get that you think that you’re something special and that Mr. Gunner will take one look at you and cast you as the lead in his next movie. Maybe he will. Who knows? But that day will not be today. I am under strict instructions to not bother him, and you, girlie, are not worth my job.”
“But that’s just it, I’m not an actress. I’m not here to see him about a movie. I’m actually…well, I’m a friend of his.”
He lets out a laugh that sounds like he’s heard this a thousand times before. “If you were his friend, then you would be standing on this side of the door, and not out there, wouldn’t you?” He gives me a knowing look, folding his arms over his huge chest.
I let out an awkward sounding laugh. “Well, that’s the thing you see…Adam—Mr. Gunner, he doesn’t like me very much right now and with good reason. So, that’s why I’m out here, and not in there. And that’s why I need to see him. So, I can explain.”
“No can do, girlie.”
Ahh!
“Please.” I press my palms to the window. “All I’m asking is, you call him and let him know I’m here. I’d call myself, but I left my cell at home.”
He stares at me for a long moment. So, I put my best pleading face on.
All I seem to do is plead with Adam’s staff to let me through to see him.
“Fine!” he huffs, reaching for his cell. He dials and puts it to his ear.
“I’m sorry to bother you, sir, but I have an Evie Taylor here—um-hum. Okay.” He hangs his cell up, putting it back into his pocket. “He doesn’t want to see you.”
“He said that?”
“Those exact words.”
Jesus. If he had smacked me in the face it would have hurt less, than Adam’s blatant rejection.
I watch as his expression changes to one of pity. I’m guessing it’s because of the look on mine.
I’m really close to bursting into tears.
Come on, Evie, pull yourself together.