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“You unpacked the console,” Riley said, wandering into the den. She slumped next to Nate on the sofa. “Who’s winning?”
“Your dad,” Ally said, at exactly the same time Nate said, “Ally is.” The two of them looked at each other and started to laugh.
“Look out,” Ally said, bringing her eyes back to the screen. “Too late. You just got shot.”
Red covered half the screen as Nate’s soldier died.
“Don’t worry,” she told him. “I’ll make sure you have a decent burial.”
Riley shook her head. “You two are weird. And it’s dinner time. Aren’t you hungry?”
“Not really, “ Ally said. “When you’re trying to save the world there’s no time to think about your stomach.”
“Good job you have us to do the thinking for you.” Nate put his controller down on the arm of the sofa. “I guess I’ll call for some take out. Is there anything in particular you’d like?”
Ally shrugged. “I’ll eat anything. But you have to let me pay for this one.”
One look from him was enough to shut her up.
“You’d better get back to the game before you die too,” he suggested. “You still owe me that decent burial, remember?”
* * *
It was dark when Ally opened her eyes. Silent, too. Her heart skipped with panic as she looked around the unfamiliar room, her breath catching in her throat until she remembered where she was.
And why.
She looked down at the cast covering her leg from beneath her calf to the tip of her foot. Only her toes were visible. She wiggled them to make sure they were still working.
Ouch. Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea.
“You’re awake.” Nate walked into the room. Though he was still wearing his dress shirt, he’d rolled the sleeves up and unfastened a few buttons. He rocked the business casual look.
“Sorry, I must have dozed off again. It’s getting to be a habit. How long was I out?”
He checked his watch, the glass glinting against the light of the moon. “It’s almost ten, so I guess a couple of hours? I’ve been in the office working.” He glanced into the hallway. “Your friend Brooke called for you, but she didn’t want me to wake you up. She said she’d come visit you tomorrow morning if you’re up to it.”
“Thank you.” A yawn came out of nowhere, stretching her jaw muscles. She covered her mouth with alarm.
Nate laughed. “You should head for bed.”
Ally wrinkled her nose. “I should, but I still haven’t unpacked.” Last night she’d just grabbed her toiletry bag and pajamas out of the suitcase Ember had brought over. But it would be so much easier if she took everything out of the bag so she could see what she had. Even getting dressed was like planning a military operation.
“I can help if you need it. I’ve finished work for the night.”
She smiled at him. On top of those good looks he really was a nice person. Much too nice for her. “That sounds like a good plan.”
They walked into the oversized guest room, Ally being careful not to let her crutches get caught in the beautifully woven rug that half-covered the polished wooden floor. The walls were painted a warm blue that reminded her of the ocean.
Not that she needed reminding – the glass doors at the far end of the room looked out onto the beach and beyond. When she’d woken up this morning she had laid there a while and stared out, wondering what it would be like to wake up to that view every day.
Nate must have followed her gaze. “Riley and I have the same view. They built it to maximize the location. There’s something awe inspiring about seeing the ocean right as you wake up.”
“Do you sleep with the curtains open?” she asked before thinking it through. “Ugh, you don’t have to answer that. I’m way too nosy for my own good.”
He gave a soft chuckle. “Yeah, I do,” he said, nodding. “And not just because I’m too lazy to close them, either.”
She turned to look at him, trying to keep her voice steady, even though she was feeling overwhelmed all over again. “I really do appreciate you letting me stay here,” she told him. “I’m not the easiest person to live with. So, thank you.”
