Halle: Thanks. He was actually asleep. Craig sent me this picture.
A senseof relief washed over me. Kai was fine. Rosie was good. And Halle wasn’t avoiding me.
An image appeared on my screen of Kai and Rosie. They were curled up in bed together, his arm around her little body, holding her close. It made me smile.
Me: So much for the no-sleeping-on-the-bed rule.
Halle: Don’t even try to pretend that you don’t let her sleep on the bed with you.
A laugh burstout of me. Halle was right. I was totally a sucker when it came to Rosie. She was just too cute.
And something in my chest eased at the fact that Halle was teasing me. I was hanging on to her wordslike a lifeline. Fuck me, I was so desperate for this woman I’d take any morsel she’d give, no matter how small.
Me: Looks like I have some serious competition for Rosie’s affection.
Halle: I love how you’re worried about that. Because here I am thinking I’m going to have to get him a dog if it helps him relax like that. Thanks. A. Lot.
I knew she was teasing.But I was glad that Rosie had helped Kai. I sank down on the edge of the mattress, still staring at the screen.
Me: Like I said, he can hang with Rosie whenever he wants.
Three dots appearedon the screen, dancing before disappearing. Then danced again. I wondered what she was thinking. About the almost-kiss. About what I’d said. Did she want to give us a chance? Was she even considering it?
When her message finally came through, I damn near dropped my phone.
Halle: Thanks, Jasper.
I started typingout a new message. Deleted it. Tried again. Cleared it again.
Instead of asking her what I really wanted to, I ultimately resorted to talking about work. I updated her on what I’d discovered about the stairs. I figured if she’d checked her emails, she would’ve already said something about it by now.
Halle: Unbelievable.
Halle: I guess it makes me feel better and worse that the door wouldn’t open.
Me: Same.
I was temptedto apologize again for getting us stuck, but in the end, I realized I wasn’t sorry. I regretted the fact that she’d worried about Kai. But I would never take back the time we’d spent together or the things I’d said.
With my fingers poised over the keyboard, I wondered if I should mention it or leave it be? If we’d just had a minute more… I sighed. Maybe I would’ve known what she was going to say. Maybe…
Another message came through, and my hope inflated like a fucking balloon. And then it deflated just as quickly when I read it.
Halle: It’s getting late, and we have an early flight tomorrow. I’m going to head to bed.
Fuck.
What did that mean?
Maybe it just means that she’s tired. Maybe it means that she needs more time. Either way, I knew now wasn’t the time to push.
Me: Sleep well.
After a few minutes,when no new message came, I flopped back on the bed with a groan.God, I’m pathetic.
The next morning,I climbed the stairs of the jet, feeling tired and stiff and cranky. I’d barely slept, and my body was sore from sitting on the concrete for all that time. I’d gone for a run and done a brief yoga and stretching video in my room, thanks to our company-wide in-house workout library. But I could definitely use a sauna and a massage and a good night’s sleep.
I’d jacked off in the shower this morning, but it hadn’t done much. The kind of release I craved was something only Halle could give me. I sighed, still not sure where we stood after last night.
