That also means Hunter isn’t Salvario with a new face, and I was just layering all my feelings for Salvario onto him. The realization clenches my already-aching stomach, making me feel sick. The shadows of gloom start consuming me from inside; before they take complete control, I should leave. I adjust the bathrobe under the duvet and slide out of bed. Rosie and Bruno follow.
“Thanks for everything,” I say one last time before turning toward the door.
“Your clothes are here.”
I stop and turn to him. He points at the bag on the couch.
“Your caretaker sent them this morning.”
I walk to the couch and pick up the bag. After taking out the pouch with my flip-flops and setting them on the floor, I grab the bag of clothes and head to the bathroom.
The clothes I was wearing last night aren’t here. Maybe he sent them back to my place. I take off the bathrobe and put on the panties and bra, then the sweatshirt and sweatpants. I take the bathrobe with me and leave the bathroom.
He’s still standing in the same spot, Bruno and Rosie sitting close to him. His gaze moves to the bathrobe in my hand.
“I’ll return it after I wash it.”
“No need. I’ll have it washed,” he says without inflection, stepping toward me. He takes the bathrobe and tosses it onto his bed.
“I’m sorry for the way I acted last night,” I offer.
“It’s fine,” he replies, toneless.
I nod. “I should leave now.”
He nods, keeping me under his stare. I think it’s just his natural way of looking; I was an idiot to read things into it.
“Have you made any progress finding Salvario?” I ask, slipping on my flip-flops.
“Not yet.”
“Let me know if you make any progress.”
He hums in acknowledgment.
I walk out of his room; he, Rosie, and Bruno follow.
My head still hurts, but it’s bearable compared to what’s happening inside my ribs. Now that it’s staring me in the face, I can see how desperately I was hoping Hunter was Salvario. I was giving myself all sorts of reasons to believe that was thecase. It’s a good thing Hunter is a decent man, otherwise, I could’ve put myself in real danger last night.
My eyes burn; I blink quickly as I step down the stairs.What will I say to Salvario when I meet him? That I threw myself at people, imagining they were him?I can feel what he’d feel, because I’d feel the same if our roles were reversed.
“Oh, hey, Elowen.” Logan gets up from the couch in the living room as he spots me.
“Hey, Logan,” I manage.
He frowns. “What happened?” He looks toward Hunter, standing beside me. “Did my brother do something wrong? You can tell me, I’ll beat his ass.”
I force a smile. “I just have a headache.”
“Did you not drink the hangover lemonade I made?”
“Thanks for that. I had it. I think it’ll just take some time to kick in.”
He chuckles. “Thank him for making me do it.” He jerks a thumb toward Hunter.
I nod, the same smile still on my face.
“Are you leaving?”
