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She nods, hugging a little tighter. Nothing compares to her brilliant smile. “Yes, I’ll stay the night.”
“Good.” I take a deep breath, smiling with her. God, it feels so good to hold her. “How was your test, by the way?”
Eden throws her head back and laughs. “You’re askingnow?”
“Better late than never, right?”
She rolls her eyes. “Better late than never.”
Chapter 28
Tip #28: Don’t investigate mysterious sounds in the middle of the night.
EDEN
Iwake up some time around three in the morning feeling like death incarnate. Something’s… off. My stomach is queasy, my skin is feverish, and my head aches like a gaggle of runway models have catwalked over my skull in their pointiest stiletto heels.
Hunter lies beside me in bed wearing nothing but a pair of basketball shorts. He’s out like a light, snoring softly. There’s something almost serene about seeing him like this. He looks younger in his sleep, not a hint of stress to be found on his slumbering features. I can’t help but trace the outline of his dragon tattoo, foggy thoughts swirling around in my brain.
What secrets are you keeping from me?I wonder to myself.
Before I can think myself into a downward spiral, my stomach lurches. I have to throw myself out of bed and rush to the bathroom, prepared for the worst. Thankfully, I don’t end up getting sick, but the awful feeling won’t go away.
Whatever it is, it leaves my mouth dry, and my throat parched, so I decide to tiptoe downstairs to the kitchen for a glass of water.
It dawns on me just how big this place is. Sometimes I wonder if Hunter thinks it’s excessive. So many rooms, yet he only occupies a handful. Doesn’t he ever get lonely in this big old place? It would make sense if he had a big family or something, but from what I can tell, it’s only him and Mei-Lee.
We could be a family, the thought pops into my mind.We could have a whole bunch of kids running around.
The idea leaves me speechless. I chalk it up to sleep deprivation, but there’s no denying the warmth that blooms in the chest. I know I’m being presumptuous, but how nice would that be? A little family of our own, tucked away in our own castle in Beverly Hills. I’ve admittedly never given it much thought but imagining myself surrounded by children who I love and adore… feels so magical.
I just don’t think that’s what Hunter wants.
A creeping sensation snakes down my spine. I’ve done a good job about staying present, about focusing on the moment-to-moment. What Hunter and I have… It’s fine. It’s exciting. Thrilling beyond words. But will it last? How could it? He’s twice my age and, from what I can tell, doesn’t have any intention of settling down. Surely, he would have had a wife and kids by now if that’s really what he wanted, right?
Crash! The sound of breaking glass.
I don’t have time to dwell on my disappointment. Instead, I’m on alert, fumbling around in the darkness. The noise sounded distant, like it was in another part of the mansion. Could it be Mei-Lee? What if she hurt herself?
Equal parts curious and alarmed, I seek the noise out.
As I venture down the hall, I feel a sudden draft. I get lost in the maze of winding halls and doors until I stumble upon an office space on the first floor. It’s fully furnished, but it doesn’t look like it’s used very often. There are stacks upon stacks of cardboard boxes, each one of them filled to the brim with paperwork. Screenplays, detailed budgets for some of Hunter’s past productions, hard-copy actor headshots and resumés galore.
I discover the origin of the sound and the draft. A broken window, shattered from the outside in. Sharp shards litter the ground, glinting in the moonlight. My heart races, thudding loudly in my chest. What the hell happened here?
Behind me, the door creaks on its hinges.
I whip around.
Nobody’s there.
“H-hello?” I call out, my voice thin and warbly. I step out into the hall, squinting against the darkness to discern any kind of movement.
Nothing.
I let out a heavy sigh.
I’m shoved forward with enough force to flatten me against the wall. I hit the drywall with a hard thud, my forehead bashing against the surface as an unceremoniousguhwrenches itself from my lungs.
