Moose lies on the sofa and watches me pace in the living room. It’s a little before noon and I’m still debating what I should do. Moose is having the time of his life like he was made to live like this.
“You think I should go?” I ask him, and he tilts his head to the side, making his ears flop. “You’re not being helpful.” He barks then lays his head back down. “So you think I should go.” I pick up the folders I found by the front door and wonder if Devin meant to take them with him but forgot.
“I should go. I can leave them at the front desk of his office. I’m sure there’s someone that works the front desk.”
I found one of his business cards and it had the address to his firm on it. I tried calling the number on the card, but it went straight to voicemail. That’s because he’s in a very important meeting and needs these files. This is the nice neighborly thing to do. Or crazy, but I push that thought down.
I drag my last bag into the master bedroom to find something to wear. I pull out my silver flats and then my favorite petal-pink dress. It’s finally warm enough that I can wear it, so I get dressed and brush my hair. I decide to put a little makeup on just in case I run into him when I’m dropping it off. I want to look nice because God knows he always does.
I grab my purse and the files and leave Moose snoring away on the sofa, oblivious to the fact that I’m leaving.
“You look nice.” I let out a small scream as I pull the key out of the door. “Grams, you scared the crap out of me.”
“I can see that.” She walks over toward me. “You sure you’re okay? You’re a little jumpy.”
I let out a breath and smile. “I think I am. I guess I’m a little on edge and didn’t realize it.”
“You’ll feel back to normal in a few days, I’m sure.” She kisses my cheek and then goes back to her place. “Where are you off to?” she asks, unlocking her door.
“Umm.” She turns back to look at me as she pushes her door open.
“Did you forget?” I hit the button on the elevator and it opens.
“Just running some errands.” I hop on to the elevator and push the button for the bottom floor.
“Forgetfulness happens when you're crushing after someone,” Grams throws out as the elevator doors close, making me laugh. I think she might be right.
Carol gets a cab for me and gives the driver Devin’s address. I think he knows whose it is because he tries to hide his knowing smirk. I hold the folders, wondering if this is a bad idea. Devin is going to think I’m a stalker, or he could think I’m super sweet and helpful.
The taxi rolls to a stop in front of a giant building, and I know Grams said he owns their building, but does he own this one too? Devin doesn't come off like some stuffy millionaire, but what do I know?
I step out of the cab, look up at the building, and decide he might be a billionaire. “Here goes nothing,” I mumble to myself as I make my way inside. Three security guards stand behind an expansive desk, watching me.
“Can we help you?” one asks.
“I’m looking for Devin?” It comes out like a question.
“Devin?” he asks right back, and my mind blanks on his last name.
“Meade!” That was the name of the firm on the card. “Sorry,” I say, realizing I shouted it and now I want to die.
“Do you have an appointment, miss?” He reaches for the radio on his belt.
“No, I’m only dropping something off.” I hold up the folders. “He forgot these and I thought he might need them.”
“I can’t let you upstairs for security reasons, but I can take the folders for you.” He holds his hand out and I start to hand them over but change my mind.
“Never mind.” I tuck them close to me.
“I didn't get your name.”
“Right.” Thank god, I think to myself before I turn to leave. Now no one will ever know I was here. I hear the security guard call after me, but I keep on going.
There’s no way I could give him the files when I thought about it. Devin is a lawyer, so who knows what's inside of them? There’s a strong possibility that some of it is private and he might not even like that I touched them.
I grab another cab and go back to the apartment building. I can put the files back and no one will ever be the wiser. I feel like a nut case by the time I make it there and as I’m getting out of the cab I’m not paying attention to where I’m going and I run right into someone. They try and grab me, but it’s too late and I hit the ground. The files spill out next to me and I’m reaching for the papers before they can blow away.
“I’m so sorry, Erin. Are you okay?”
No. There is no way. I turn my head slowly to look up and see Peter standing there above me.
“Let me help you.” He starts to reach for me, and I jerk back.
“I got it.” I hurriedly get the files together, but when I try to stand on my own my knees buckle. Peter grabs me by the arm before I can fall again, and when I get my footing I jerk away from his hold. “I said I got it.”
“Sorry,” he mumbles, holding his hands up.
“Miss Erin, are you okay?” Carol rushes out of the building and over to me. “Your knee is bleeding.”
I look down to see that he’s right and my favorite dress is ruined on top of it. “It doesn't really hurt.” I think it’s only a small scratch.
“What are you doing here?” Peter asks me.
“I was going to ask you the same thing,” I say, unable to hide the accusation in my voice.
“The company I work for has their corporate office here. I come here once a month.” He points down the street. “Are you sure you're okay? I heard about your place and I’ve been worried about you.” He looks genuine as his eyes soften.
“Yeah, I gotta go, Peter. I’ll see you around.” Before he can say anything else, Carol is guiding me into the building.
“Ex?” Carol asks when we get inside.
“What?”
“Was he an ex-boyfriend or something? You look like you saw a ghost.”
“No.” I shake my head, glancing back at the glass doors, but Peter is gone.
“I think we have a first-aid kit behind my desk.”
“Thanks, Carol, but I think I’ll just take a shower and patch it up afterwards.”
“All right.” He nods. “If you change your mind, I can send something up.”
“Thanks again.” I get on the elevator and all I want to do is go back to Devin’s place and put the folders back where I found them.
I look down at them and cringe. I never should have left to begin with. I’ve not only made a mess out of myself but out of Devin’s work too.
I’ve gone from being excited for Devin to come back tonight to dreading it.