Page 17 of His Reckoning

“We did not get along great.”

“You’re complaining about him like you enjoyed the conversation.”

“I did not enjoy the conversation.”

“You definitely enjoyed the conversation,” Colton says.

I glare at both of them. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

Melissa walks around the counter and sits on the stool next to mine.

“Okay,” she says gently, “then tell me what’s really going on.”

I open my mouth, then close it again because, suddenly, the answer feels heavier than the question.

Colton starts chopping vegetables again, clearly pretending not to listen. Which means he’s absolutely listening.

I stare down at the countertop for a second, then sigh. “I haven’t written anything in weeks.”

Melissa’s expression softens immediately. “What do you mean?”

“I mean exactly what that sentence means,” I say. “I sit down to write, and nothing happens.”

“How long has that been going on?”

“About three weeks.”

She blinks. “Kayla.”

“I know.”

“You’ve never had writer’s block before.”

“I’m aware.”

Colton glances up. “That sounds stressful.”

I glare up at him and run a hand through my hair. “It’s like my brain just … stopped cooperating.”

Melissa watches me carefully. “And Sawyer noticed?”

“Immediately,” I say.

“How?”

“He came home and noticed me type three sentences and delete all of them.”

Colton laughs quietly. “That’s unfortunate timing.”

“That’s incredibly unfortunate timing.”

Melissa nudges my arm lightly. “You’ll figure it out.”

“I hope so.”

“Maybe the change of environment will help.”

I think about the penthouse.