“Wanted some water. I’m sorry, I thought you’d be asleep.”
“Nah, I’m running down some leads.”
She nods as she retrieves a cup and fills it with water. “Any luck?”
“Not yet.”
“Jack?”
“Nothing so far. But that doesn’t mean anything.”
Anastasia slides into the booth across from me. “I appreciate you saying that, but we both know he wouldn’t have dropped off the face of the earth.”
“No,” I agree. “He wouldn’t have.”
She places her elbows on the table, then rests her forehead in both hands.
“Did you get any sleep?” I ask softly.
She shakes her head and looks up at me. “Every time I close my eyes, I see him instead of Violet. Then I see you.” Her eyes fill.
“Baby.” I slide out of my side of the booth and kneel beside her.
“Sawyer, I need this to stop, but I feel so helpless. I feel weak.”
Me, too. “We will find him.”
“What about Jack?”
“Him, too.” I reach up and run the back of my finger over her cheek, wiping away a stray tear. My computer beeps, signaling the script is done running, so I get up and check.
No matches.
Which means I’ll be combing the rest of the shop purchases by hand. Again.
And that can wait until tomorrow.
After logging out of everything and shutting down my computer, I get to my feet and reach down for Anastasia’s hand. “Come on.”
“Sawyer—”
“Sleep, Anastasia. The problems will still be there tomorrow. For now, let’s rest.”
“I can’t sleep.”
“Sure you can. Because I’m going to watch over you while you do.” I pull her to her feet and thread my fingers through hers. The fit feels so right, which sends guilt running through me.
Jack loves this woman, too. And while I’m getting more time with her, who knows what’s happening to him. What may have already happened. I’m man enough to feel bad even as I’m glad she’s with me.
Anastasia walks with me, and I turn off the lights, then step down into the bedroom. She crosses over and climbs onto the bed, moving all the way to the wall side to leave room for me. After kicking off my shoes, I climb in beside her and hold out my arm so she can rest her head on my chest.
It’s a completely innocent gesture meant to help her rest.
But I can’t help but wish for more nights like this. Without the lingering danger over our heads.
Just her head on my chest and my arm around her.
“Sleep, baby,” I whisper, then press a kiss to the top of her head.
