“Can’t we have a slumber party here again?”
The idea is tempting, but how good of a caregiver would that make me? Two nights in a row with a known thief. Well… known to me.
“No.” We shouldn’t. “We can’t.” Can we?
I’ve just confused myself.
“Okay,” she submits with a yawn as she stands from the couch, gathering her blanket in her arms.
I’m surprised she so easily gives in. We head out of the room, and I’m half tempted to lock Soren inside as revenge for falling asleep during my favoritemovie, but I refrain. He’s done his duty in protecting us. That’s all I asked him for, all he promised. I can’t expect more. Tomorrow I’ll hand over the painting, and then he’s free to go.
Mrs. Hartwell will be home tomorrow and take Arabella far away from here, and I’ll go to my apartment and… sleep on the couch.
My steps slow, and my legs feel heavy with ever-mounting fatigue. My roommate ransacking my space feels like ages ago. That’s another obstacle I need to face. If I ever make it through this one.
I follow Bella upstairs, ensuring she brushes her teeth and changes her clothes.
She climbs beneath the rumpled covers, burrowing in. “Thanks for Christmas,” she whispers, so soft I think I’ve misheard her.
“It was a fun day.” Mostly.
“I don’t even think I’ll need counseling after being held hostage.”
I chuckle, brushing her hair off her forehead. “I’m relieved.”
“When my mom gets back, maybe you could come to Harry Potter World and Epic Universe with us,” Bella says.
“I think your mom wants to spend some time alone with you,” I say with a soft smile.
“And you want some time alone withDerek,” she lilts.
“No, I don’t.” I try to deny it, but it’s nearly impossible. The second I’m done here, I’m going back to the theater to wake up that man and demand more answers and maybe a real kiss.
“I like him. Even if he’s a thief.”
With that, she turns on her side and closes her eyes.
I don’t move for a full ten seconds. What does she know?
“Don’t worry,” she says, rolling her head back and popping an eye open. “I won’t tell my mom who you hang out with. The bad boys are always cuter.”
“Whoa, hey, the good guys are cute, too.”
“I don’t see any of those guys making you smile.”
Touché.
We’ll have to discuss the company I keep tomorrow before her mom returns. Because I care about what Bella thinks about me. I want to be a positive figure in her life.
But what does that mean regarding Soren?
“I think he’s like Severus Snape or Dexter.” Bella yawns, playing with a strand of hair like she does when she’s tired. “Bad on the outside. Good on the inside.”
Snape I can get behind, butDexter? “Did you just compare him to a serial killer?”
“Agoodone,” she says, like I’ve missed the whole point.
I chuckle. “Good night, Bella.”
