You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 901

“Chelsea’s coworker called to say she didn’t show up for work and wanted to know if I had any idea where she was.”

“Did you try calling her?”

“I did, but she didn’t pick up. I even checked with her dad. He said she hadn’t come home last night.”

“Maybe ask Mr. McKee if he knows anything?”

Jackson chimed in, “What if she and Hector just got a little too caught up with each other?”

Patricia shook her head. “I doubt it. Chelsea might seem laid-back, but she’s actually pretty serious about her job. She’s focused, even if she doesn’t always look it.”

Patricia ended the call and tried reaching Hector, but no one answered. The phone just rang and rang.

Downstairs, in the parking garage, things were getting tense.

Chelsea had come down early, ready to head to work, only to find her blind date waiting for her. He’d driven across half the city just to pick her up.

And, as if her morning needed more complications, Hector was also there. He hadn’t been able to see her for days, so he’d decided to wait by her building too.

So, right there in the parking lot, two worlds collided.

Hector leaned against his car, dressed in a gray sweater and white sneakers, looking every bit as relaxed as he could manage. He shot a lazy look at the other guy, then nodded toward Chelsea. “Didn’t she mention she’s already got someone?”

The other man blinked, surprised. Chelsea didn’t say a word, so he figured Hector was just being dramatic. “Having someone doesn’t mean you’re getting married.”

“You really can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s not, huh?” Hector’s voice was thick with sarcasm, the word “real” practically dripping off his tongue. At thirty-four, he wasn’t exactly old, but he was definitely older than this kid.

Hector let out a short laugh and took a drag from his cigarette. “Real? What’s so real about you? All those years in school and you never figured it out?” He kept going, mocking now. “Did you sleep through class? Maybe you need to go back for a few more years. I can help you find a school.”

The younger guy just smiled, barely fazed. He glanced at Chelsea. “My family thinks I’m real enough. Is that good enough for you?”

Hector’s hand, still holding his cigarette, froze in midair. He shot Chelsea a look so sharp it could cut. Family approval? So this kid had met her parents?

Fine. Whatever. Impressive.

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