Cute.
You trust me, runaway?
Me
I mean, I haven’t found your black duffel bag yet, so…
Rowan
…when the time is right.
Me
I don’t know if we’re talking about kissing or murder but I’ll take my chances.
Rowan
Get some sleep, Hannah.
Me
So bossy. Really no daddy kink, huh?
Rowan
Good night.
It’s quiet again.Doors are locked—I’ve checked them three times. The stove light is on along with two lamps in the living room and the hallway light. I even shut off the ice maker.
Rowan asked me to stay over again. Yet, here I am. Alone. Why? Pride? I didn’t want to impose? I don’t trust myself around him?
I don’t know anymore.
The everything shower I took when I got home was meant to be a distraction. So were the dishes and the laundry.
Still, silence is a cruel, vicious bitch.
I consider popping a Benadryl. Or a couple glasses of wine. But even though pride may or may not have been the reason I turned downRowan’s invitation, it’s definitely why I refuse to drug or drink myself to sleep.
Because I’m fine.
All I have to do is keep myself busy and eventually the exhaustion will win and I’ll pass out.
Skin still clammy from the hot shower, I grab my laptop and settle on the couch. My checklist for the gala has more than enough items to keep myself occupied.
I don’t know how much time has passed, but I’m three spreadsheets and a dozen emails deep in finalizing the event timeline when I reach a stalemate in the process and need Kristen’s help. Without thinking, I grab my phone.
She answers on the fourth ring, voice groggy. “Hannah? What’s going on?”
“Hello to you, too. I’m finishing up the timeline for the gala, but I can’t find the list of stage requirements for the band. Can you forward their contract to me?”
“It’s the weekend.” She yawns. “Why are you working?”
“Why are you whispering?”
A pause. “Because it’s one in the morning.”
I pull the phone from my ear to glance at the screen.1:08.“Dammit. I’m sorry, Kris. I didn’t realize it was so late.”