“Behind furniture.”
I nod. “And in the bathroom.”
Drew stares at the ceiling like he’s asking for strength.
“You realize,” he says slowly, “that most people would be alarmed by this.”
I tilt my head. “Most people don’t love Sebastian.”
That stops him.
He looks at me again—really looks. He doesn’t appear scared or angry. Just… tired. Curious. Resigned.
“You’re struggling,” he says quietly.
I nod. “Yes.”
“So is he.”
That lands.
I slide off the bed and stand, suddenly aware that I’ve crossed into something real.
“I didn’t mean to upset him,” I say softly. “I just… needed him to feel the quiet.”
Drew exhales. “Mission accomplished.”
I smile faintly. “Good.”
I step toward the door, then pause. “You won’t tell him I was here?”
Drew hesitates. Then shakes his head. “No.”
I brighten. “Thank you.”
As I slip past him, he adds, “But for the record?”
I glance back.
“If you climb the deck again while I’m home, I’m charging you rent.”
I grin. “Fair.”
The smile dies on my face. “And if Sebastian finds out?”
He pauses. “That’s not a conversation I want to have.”
The sound of a car door slams outside.
My eyes lock with Drew’s, my heart stuttering.
It’s him!
I move without thinking—down the hallway and stairs, through the living room, and out the patio door. I jump overthe railing like I’m a hurdler, dropping into the grass. I crouch behind the hedge, holding my breath, watching as Sebastian’s silhouette passes by the patio door.
I exhale, breath panicky and accelerated.
As much as I’d love to see him, I can’t.
