40

Contd

Ariel Beckham.

I push open the bar door.

Mateo is right at the entrance, blocking my way with a raised brow.

“I thought you had your perfume class?” he asks, casual but probing.

“Yeah… I did. I’ll tell you later.” I say, trying to step around him, but he shifts, blocking my path again.

“Um—the boss isn’t in,” he says, glancing toward the elevator part.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Where is he, then?”

“Um—” he thinks about it. Mateo, never, ever has to think about Ramirez’s location cause he always knows it.

“Why are you lying to her? Ramirez is in the office.” Anita chimes in, walking over with her arms folded.

I blink, looking back at Mateo, who’s now sheepishly rubbing his neck. Why is he lying to me? Is he messing with me, or trying to keep me from seeing Ramirez?

I brush past ……