I set the waters on the nightstand. “Water?”
She stared at me.
“Wrong time?”
“Very wrong time,” she said, clearly panicking.
“Right.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said quietly.
“It’s no one’s fault. She had a stomach ache.”
“My mother knows I have a lady in my room.”
Catherine froze. Slowly, she looked at me. Then her eyes closed. “I’m going to die.”
“No, you’re not.”
“My father is going to kill you, and then I’m going to die from embarrassment.”
“My mother is in Isla’s room. I told her to keep Isla busy while I get you out.”
“You asked your mother to help sneak me out?” Her voice went high-pitched.
“Yes.” I wasn’t making the situation better but I didn’t see a better option. “I didn’t say who you were.”
“She probably thinks I’m some random hookup,” Catherine said.
“There’s nothing random about you,” I replied. “And my mom asked for a name.”
“Did you give her one?” she asked.
“No, of course not.”
Some of the panic softened, but only a little. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. She’s Sloane Russell. She’s going to figure it out eventually.”
Catherine pulled on her shoes, hands shaking. That got me. The panic, embarrassment, and guilt. All of it moved aside for one sharp second, and all I saw was her trying not to fall apart in my bedroom because of the life I’d pulled her into.
I stepped closer. “I’ll make it up to you.”
Despite everything, her mouth twitched. Then a soft thump came from the direction of Isla’s room.
Catherine’s eyes went huge again. “I need to leave.”
“Yeah.” I pulled on sweatpants and a T-shirt as fast as I could, then opened the bedroom door and checked the hallway.
“Clear,” I whispered.
Catherine followed me, moving silently, her purse clutched to her chest. We made it halfway to the front door before Isla’s bedroom door cracked open. My mother’s head appeared. Only her head. Like a suburban spy. Her eyes landed on Catherine. For half a second, nothing happened. Then her eyes bugged out so far I was afraid she’d injure herself. Catherine froze. My mother’s mouth opened. I lifted one finger to my lips and gave my own mother the most desperate look of my life. For once, Sloane Russell stayed quiet.
Catherine’s face went bright red. “Hi, Mrs. Russell.”
Mom blinked.
Then whispered, “Catherine?”