Page 102 of Chasing Headlines

I moved closer, noting a white lump of fabric spilling from inside. “What's he doing? That is definitely a hazard. Some old lady would probably trip.” I knelt and tried to gather the stuff. It was long and a little shimmery. The end was rolled up, but the fabric was slippery—like satin? “Hell of a tablecloth.” I sighed and had to take the bag off my upper arm after it slipped from my shoulder. I shoved it next to a fake plant, piling the fabricinto my arms. The door didn't seem to want to budge. I kicked at it, trying to move it wider, and ended up turning sideways to fold myself in.

Something clattered on the ground. I turned. “Oh, crap, my phone?—”

“Dammit, I told you, Dotty Schreiber said—Shit!” A heavy thud. I whirled around just as Coop rushed at me. My heart leapt into my throat. I might've screamed.

I hugged the tablecloth to my chest, closed my eyes and ducked. An arm caught me around my waist and pulled me close. A loud bang! I opened my eyes but the place was dark.

“Sonofabitch.” Coop's breath hushed and rushed near my ear. He pulled me forward into the darkness. Another bang, a slap, a knock. He groaned. I rested my cheek on the mountain of tablecloth wedged between us. He held onto me, the scent of sandalwood and coffee smelled like heaven.

“We're stuck.”

“Hm?”

“I couldn't find the wedge. Dammit.” Another thud against the door. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to move? Ditch the fabric and wrap my arm around him? Bury my face in his chest and lick his collarbone? That last one was probably a no.

“Fuck. Those maintenance assholes.” He seethed.

“There was just a tablecloth piled around the door . . .”

“It was rolled up and stuck in the—Nevermind.” He huffed out a breath. “Where's your phone? Just call the main line and tell them we're in the maintenance closet.”

I buried my face in the fabric. Were we really trapped, together, in a closet?Oh shit. I crushed my eyelids closed.Not trapped. We’re not trapped. Just stuck . . . for a few minutes. It’s fine. Someone will get us?—

“Milline. Your phone.”

“I dropped it. Outside.” I hugged the tablecloth tighter.

He groaned. “Dammit.”

“I was trying to keep people from tripping. I didn’t know. And then my phone just fell. And the door closed and I?—”

“It’s ok.” His voice sounded strangely . . . soft. Considering the cursing and groaning of a few seconds ago. He took a deep breath, and I felt it because, oh, he was still holding onto me?

“You don't have yours?”

“It's 'for emergencies only'. I left it in Dotty's apartment,” he said in a half grumble, half sigh.

“I see.” Was there any way to get rid of this fluff of fabric in my arms? His arm around my waist practically burned, fringed with tingly currents. I turned my head and tried to see . . . anything else, but it was just darkness. And him.

“Livvie? Why the hell are you—?” My brother's voice sounded low and deep. I ducked my head into my kneecaps. The hems of coats brushed against the back of my shoulders.

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and tried to stifle a whimper. An anxious stew bubbled in my abdomen.

And all I wanted was for Breslin to keep holding me.

Breslin POV

“I left my purse, dropped my phone. But no one's going to be looking for me anytime soon. At least you'll be missed at baseball practice. Someone might even think to look here for you eventually. Please tell me we won't be in here that long?”

How did she say all of that in one breath? It was a mystery to me. She panted for air. Vibrations ran through muscle and skin. “You ok?”

“Ah, sure, fine. It's absolutely the best part of my day so far, being locked inside a closet.” She shifted and her thigh brushed my leg. Hazy images from my morning shower nagged at my brain. She trembled.

I released her and took a step back. If she thought I was a problem or threat in some way, I should give her space. There was room in the back of the closet. It wasn't wide, but it was long. A section of blank storage space sat behind the built-in shelves.Could sit back there and just wait.My shoes thudded on the tile floor as I moved away from the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Just—there's more room in the back.”