Page 34 of The Innocent

Imogene had rented quite a few apartments in her lifetime. But no process had ever been so quick compared to this one. Within twenty-four hours, she’d gotten the call from Judy. Her background check had been approved, and two days later she was moving into the high rise. It couldn’t have come fast enough.

She’d never been exactly comfortable at the motel, but it had become awkward after the night at the club. Imogene had steadily avoided Angie and Ricky the last couple days before her move. Jekyll’s friend had been right. When she’d approached Lou to tell him she was leaving, she’d been caught off guard when he insisted she’d stay and offered her a package. How could I have not seen this coming? In hindsight, it was blatantly obvious. She was usually good at reading people, their vibes and intentions. Maybe her mind was clouded with the prospect of meeting people. She wouldn’t allow that to happen again.

However, had she not gone to the club, she would’ve never run into Jekyll. As if she hadn’t spent enough time thinking of him, he was now a constant in her mind. What were the chances? An organic run-in with a man she’d obsessed over for more than a year. It was as if fate stepped in, and the stars aligned, putting them both on the same street at that exact moment. Or? It could’ve been a mere coincidence. Either way, Imogene was still riding high from their encounter. God, he looked amazing with his leather vest wrapped over his broad shoulders and the tattoos lining his muscled arms. His prison scrubs hadn’t done him justice. Even beyond seeing him and having her attraction reignited at record speed, his protection was unexpected. The way he came between her and Lou when he’d tried to grab her arm. It gave off major hero vibes. As if I’m not obsessed already.

Then it was over. A chance encounter was just that. There was no guarantee she’d ever run into him again. He didn’t live in Lawry, and she had no clue how often he visited.

“I should’ve asked him out for a drink.” It had been on the tip of her tongue when he’d walked her to her car. What was the worst he could say? No.

Imogene groaned, aggressively flicking her blinker and turning into the lot. “I should’ve just asked.”

To be fair, Jekyll wasn’t exactly showing signs of romantic interest. Yes, he’d stepped in during her altercation, but his insistence on her going home was sending a clear message.

All thoughts of Jekyll would have to be sidelined. She had more pressing matters at the moment.

Imogene parked in the front lot of the high rise, happy to see the movers pulling in behind her. It was perfect timing.

She glanced up at the building. The irony. She’d been standing across the street from this high rise while she was in line for the club. She’d had no idea she was looking at her new home.

Imogene got out of her car, grabbed her suitcase, and waved the truck to the front entrance. They had just backed up when three men in suits walked out of the building headed directly toward them.

She rushed to meet them at the back of the truck. She assumed they were going to hand over the keys to the apartment and a copy of her lease. Everything had been done electronically. She found it a bit odd. She hadn’t even talked to the landlord, but Judy insisted this was the way this rental was handled. Maybe they did things differently in the city.

Imogene waved, catching the men’s attention.

“Hi, I’m Imogene Peppercorn.”

They halted, scowling hard and remaining silent.

She awkwardly pointed to the building. “I’m moving in today.”

One of the movers rounded the bumper and reached for the rear rolling door.

“Back the fuck up.” The security snapped, and the mover froze.

What was happening? She wedged herself between the two men.

“I hired them to move my things into the apartment.”

The dark-haired man standing front and center glanced down at her, glaring. “No.”

Her jaw fell open, and she widened her eyes. What did he mean no? She shared a look with the moving crew. They were just as confused as her.

“I have some big pieces of furniture. I’m not going to be able to carry it myself.”

He narrowed his gaze but said nothing.

“I didn’t know hiring movers would be an issue.”

He cocked his brow. “Well, now you do.”

But… She looked up at the building. She’d been assigned to the seventh floor. How did they expect her to move a couch by herself? Imogene was relatively fit, but at five feet five inches weighing in at one hundred thirty pounds, she was no match for a sleeper sofa.

Imogene was at a complete loss when one of the movers cleared his throat, gaining her attention.

“You only got the truck for two hours.”

Shit! What was she supposed to do?