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“Zachary.”
“What?”
“He came back with a broom and a garbage bag. I have no idea where he got them. He didn’t say much, just cleaned it up and left.” She picked up a cup from the Steaming Mug. “And he left this. It has your name on it.”
She handed me the warm cup and I took out the stopper and sniffed, then took a careful sip. It was a London fog, my favorite drink, especially on a cold day.
I stared out the front windows, but he was nowhere to be seen. Rain pattered against the street. Another storm was rolling in.
And Zachary Haven was more confusing than ever.
Bringing a Friend
BRIELLE
John sat close enough that his leg touched Brielle’s. They were watching an episode of The Office, but she found it hard to pay attention. His closeness was too distracting.
She wished he’d turn and kiss her. But so far, despite taking pictures of her with her clothes off, he’d never made a move.
Today he just drank his beer and watched TV.
Maybe he wanted her to make a move. Maybe this was his way of giving her a chance to have agency. That’s what the influencers online called it. Sexual agency. She needed to take control and show him what she wanted.
He’d like that, wouldn’t he? It would please him?
She really wanted to please him. He’d done so much for her.
“People are looking for you,” he said out of the blue.
“Really? What people?”
“People in town. You’ve been reported missing.”
Brielle didn’t know how to feel about that. She didn’t want anyone to look for her. She didn’t want to be found. She could go on living in John’s cabin forever, as far as she was concerned. Although she still had the vague notion that she ought to go to Vegas so she could get a job.
But did she really need to if John wanted to keep her there?
She wasn’t worried anyone would find her. Not there. She didn’t know exactly where they were, but it had been a long drive to get there. She was safe.
“They won’t find me.”
“No, they won’t.”
The way he said that, so definitive, sent a chill down her spine. Which was silly. She didn’t want to be found. It was good that John was so certain.
“Are you worried about it?” she asked.
“No.”
“If anyone does, you know I’m not going to throw you under the bus, right?” she asked. “You didn’t kidnap me or anything. And I’m an adult, there’s nothing they can do.”
“I know.”
She leaned back into the couch cushions and took a long drink of her beer, hoping to chase away the unsettled feeling. Let her buzz melt it away to nothing.
They watched the show a little longer, then John dug something out of a pocket and held it out to her in the palm of his hand. It was a small pill.
“What’s that?” she asked.
