Page 164 of Salto

Lexi was quiet for a moment before reaching over and squeezing my hand.

"Whatever happens," she said, "I'm here for you, okay?"

I nodded. "Thanks, Lex," I said.

She gestured to the bathroom. "I'll hurry and get ready for bed so you can sleep."

"Don't rush, really. I'm okay."

I lay back down as she went to change and shower. I listened to the water running and the sound of her toiletries clinking on the countertop. It made me feel less alone.

Ten minutes later, she was crawling into the other queen bed next to mine. It was nearly ten, and I should have been exhausted. My body had been through it today. Surely sleep was the obvious place to succumb.

Lexi seemed to get the memo and fell asleep almost immediately. I heard her quiet snoring and felt sort of envious that it had been so easy for her. All I wanted right now was to slip away into oblivion and forget the reality I was living in.

I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling.

I lay there, waiting for my mind to take mercy on me.

Around eleven, my phone buzzed softly.

When I picked it up and saw Rove's contact, I felt my heart skip a beat.

ROVE: Are you awake?

I debated not answering and pretending I was asleep. Part of me didn't want to face him right now, even if it was just through text. But my curiosity won out, like it always seemed to with him.

ME: Yes.

ROVE: Come down to the lobby.

CHAPTER 59

When I got down to the lobby, it was deserted.

I passed the seating area with its couches and coffee table, but there wasn’t a soul in sight. Even the front desk was unattended.

I looked around, confused, until my eyes landed on the glass double doors leading outside.

Beyond them was a small terrace overlooking the hotel’s courtyard. Palm trees swayed gently in the warm night air, surrounding a softly lit fountain below. A black wrought-iron railing bordered the edge.

Rove was leaning against it, his forearms resting on the rail, staring out into the darkness.

I didn’t want to face him. I so desperately wanted to go back to my room, crawl under the covers, and pretend today never happened.

I sucked in a deep breath, released it, and then forced myself to step outside.

I walked over to him, shoving my hands into the pockets of my sweatshirt, trying not to lose courage.

The humid breeze ruffled my hair a bit as I mirrored his stance and leaned against the railing.

He didn’t acknowledge me for a moment.

I waited, the trickling fountain and the wind the only sounds for a few minutes. I looked up at the night sky and found the stars were wide awake.

“I’m sorry,” I finally said.

He turned toward me, his expression neutral.