Page 81 of Wicked Dares

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No one there either.

A shuffling sound makes me jump. It came from behind me, back in the office.

I head back there. No one’s here. I look at the fire escape door and wonder if someone came up that way.

Quickly I check it out.

Nothing.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

Alexis’ voice makes me jump.

I turn back to her. “Did you by any chance come up here from outside?”

She narrows her eyes. “No. You mean go on the fire escape? No way.”

Of course, she’s scared of heights and loathes fire escape stairs that are on the outside of the building.

“You okay?”

I nod.

I’m being silly.

That stupid nightmare is doing a number on me.

I probably just heard a bird outside.

“Ready?”

“Sure.”

We leave the building carrying brochures and way too much excitement for two people who haven’t signed anything yet.

The cool afternoon breeze brushes against my skin as we walk toward the car.

I feel lighter but unease still settles in my chest.

I shove the feeling away.

Of all the things I have to worry about, that’s not one of them.

Now that I have a potential office building, the tall, handsome, daring man who’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend sneaks back into my mind.

Levi Vale, what am I going to do the next time I see you?

Probably not what I want.

Chapter Eighteen

PIPER

Tonight’s event is being held at the Astoria, an invite-only association for the rich and famous, those whose net worth is longer than a person’s zip code.

I’ve only ever heard of it. Getting invited to anything at the Astoria is a dream for someone like me, and the place lives up to the hype attached to its name.

I just can’t bring myself to care tonight.

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