“TOO EARLY.” I TRY TOswat away whatever is currently shaking me but only find air. Seconds later, rich laughter fills the air.
“You’re right, it’s entirely too early.”
My eyes shoot open at the sound of Penn’s voice, a deep ache in my forehead making it impossible to keep them open for long.
I audibly groan.
“That bad, huh?”
“Never drinking again.” I bury my face into the pillow.
“Go back to sleep. I’m going to head into the office for a bit.”
“Wait, I need to come too,” I say, making no attempt to move.
“No, you don’t. Take today off.”
“But you gave me yesterday off.” I half-heartedly object. Truth be told, the last thing I want to do is get out of this bed right now.
“I’m the boss. I can give you every day off if I want.”
“Penn.”
“Seriously. Stay in bed. Get some sleep. If you wake up and feel like eating something, there’s plenty of food in the fridge.”
“Do not talk about food right now,” I say, stomach twisting violently.
“Okay.” Laughter shakes the word seconds before his lips touch the side of my head. “Sleep. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
I nod, tugging the blanket up over my head.
Pretty sure I fall back to sleep before he’s even made it out of the room.
When I wake a second time, it’s light outside. Rolling to the side, I peek over at the clock to see it’s nearly two in the afternoon. Shooting upright, the room tilts slightly as I try to gather my bearings.
Reaching for my cell, which Penn left charging on the nightstand, I see that I have four missed calls from my mother, two of which were late last night.
Crap.
Clicking on her number, I call her back, knowing if I don’t, she’ll keep calling.
She answers on the first ring.
“Finally. I was starting to get worried.”
“Sorry. I didn’t realize you had called.” Not a complete lie.
“You didn’t come home last night.”
“I know. I crashed at Josie’s again. She’s going through a bit of... well, man trouble.” I feel guilty for lying to my mom, of all people, but I don’t feel like answering the questions I know will follow if I tell her where I really am.
“Is that so?” Her voice rings with distrust. She doesn’t believe me. I know my mom well enough to know that much.
“Yes, it is.” I dig my heels in.
“A text message was too much to ask?” Irritation coats her voice. “I understand that you’re a grown woman, but you are living with us right now and if you’re not going to be coming home for the night, letting us know that would be appreciated. I tossed and turned all night thinking you had been abducted and were lying in a ditch somewhere.”
“That’s a little dramatic.”
