Page 13 of Don’t Look Down

A loud ringing from my purse cuts her off. “Sorry, I thought I had that turned off.” Mrs. Kleine slides one last pin in and sits back.

I step down and grab my purse. When I pull my phone out, it’s an unknown caller. I’m about to let it go to voicemail, but at the last moment, I decide to answer it.

If it’s someone from the charity, I don’t want to miss them.

“Hello?”

“Briar?” The deep voice is familiar, but I can’t quite place it.

“This is she?”

“Hello, it’s Lockwood.” I stiffen, my heart suddenly racing as my palm grows clammy against the phone. “I wanted to call to extend my apologies for missing last week’s event.”

There’s a stretch of silence as I remain completely frozen.

His throat clears. “Is now not a good time?”

That snaps me out of it. “No, no yes of course. Just uh… just one minute.” I feel two pairs of eyes trained my direction, but I don’t acknowledge them as I hustle toward the front door. I can’t believe I have Lock on the phone, and I just told him to wait a minute.

My mother would have a fit.

I step out onto the sidewalk and duck quickly into the alley between shops. Blessedly, it’s empty sans for a young man throwing a garbage bag in the bin. But he pays me little attention, despite being a glittering ball of gold.

It’s absurd to be out here dressed like this, but I couldn’t stay inside with two sets of ears to eavesdrop. And it’s not like I could ask Lock to call me back.

“I’m sorry about that,” I say breathlessly. “I was just in the tailor and wanted to step outside.”

“I won’t keep you long. I don’t have much time anyways. But I wanted to thank you for the good showing last week. Edwin briefed me the other day and said you did well with the patrons.”

The way he says it, it sounds almost like an audition. And I guess, maybe I passed?

“I apologize for not letting you know personally that I’d be unable to attend. I’m aware that you were looking forward to it.”

I let my forehead fall into my palm and lean against the building. But then I remember what I’m wearing and shoot back up.

He was aware I was looking forward to it? Who told him that? I mean, I was, but it sounds so one-sided.

“I understand you’re busy,” I say, choosing not to acknowledge that last part. “No apologies necessary from me.”

“I regret to say that I don’t think I’ll be able to fulfill my commitment for the rest of the summer, but I would still like to see you sometime.”

“You would?” I blurt, then chuckle, embarrassed, and add, “I mean, I’d love that as well.”

It’s quiet on the other side of the line. Long enough that I pull my phone away from my ear to see if the call was disconnected. It wasn’t.

“I’m sure not right away⁠—”

“Sorry,” he says, sounding distracted now. “I must go, but I was thinking you could accompany me to my father’s birthday party. Edwin did say you were planning to attend, yes?”

I blink rapidly. “Uh, yes. I’ll be there.”

“Great. I’ll have a car sent for you. Edwin will be in touch with any further details.”

“That sounds great⁠—”

“Good. Looking forward to it.”

And before I have a chance to say anything more, the line goes dead.