Chapter 37

On Wednesday, I’m back at reception, and the day is so hectic—between Nick’s absence and the various fires I put out—that I barely have time to think about Marcus.

I appreciate this small blessing.

I appreciate even more not seeing him all day. Yet by seven, as the building empties, I find myself thinking of him more and more. It’s absurd—I’m not ready to see him. I don’t know what I want to say or how.

But that doesn’t change the fact that I can’t wait to see him, and knowing he hasn’t come up to see me—that he doesn’t can’t wait to see me, too—annoys me more than I like to admit.

So even though I feel like a schoolgirl, I call Security and ask Joe if Marcus is in the building.

“No, ma’am… Miss Brooks. He hasn’t come in today.”

When I hang up, I feel stupid. I could have gone home an hour ago; instead I’ve been stalling, hoping to see Marcus, and he hasn’t even come.

I’m messed up and I know it. On the drive home I call Cass, who sounds as