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Neo screws up his face to match the disgusted look my daughter is currently sporting. “Well, it’s a good thing I’m here to save the day then.”
“Yay! Come on, I’ll show you where the big television is.” Neo lets Izzy drag him by the hand into the other room.
Groaning, I stand and follow close behind. “I’m going to go have a shower. Izzy, one movie then bed,” I tell her.
“Okay,” she replies, not looking back at me.
It’s not until I’m in the shower that it hits me. I just left my daughter in a room with Neo. Alone. Without a second thought. That’s not something I’ve ever done before. The thought that she could be in any danger with him didn’t cross my mind. But it should have. I know better than to trust anyone, even a guy with a smirk that makes my insides tumble and sets my skin aflame.
Rushing through the rest of my shower, I throw on a shirt and a pair of yoga tights. I practically run into the theater room, where Izzy and Neo are laid out on the sofa surrounded by a metric ton of junk food. I pause in the doorway and breathe a sigh of relief. She’s here. She’s safe. I need to get my head on straight, and I need to figure out what Neo is using to fog my brain and find the damn antidote.
There is an ease between Neo and Izzy as she tells him all about her favorite parts of the movie. “Did you know princesses don’t really need a prince to save them?” she says.
“No, and why don’t they need a prince?” Neo asks.
“My mama says a princess needs to save themselves, and one day she’s going to save us. Maybe she can save you too, Neo. You could run away with us.” My breath halts in my lungs. This isn’t something Izzy should be telling people.
“Where would we run off to, Bel?” Neo asks her.
Izzy shrugs. “Disneyland. We could live in the castle there.”
“Mmm, maybe, but what about all the princes and princesses who already live there?” he counters. Why is he even entertaining this notion of running away with us?
“What about an island? I like the beach. Somewhere warm.”
“Deal, a deserted island it is. If you ever run away to a deserted island, I promise I’m coming with you.”
Shit, I need to put a stop to this. She’s going to get attached. We can’t afford to get attached. “Izzy, go brush your teeth,” I say, making my presence known.
“But, Mama, the movie isn’t finished.”
“We can finish it tomorrow, Bel,” Neo tells her, switching the television off.
“Are you sleeping over?” Izzy questions.
“Yes. Is that okay?” Well, it’s nice to know my daughter gets a say in this sleepover. He never askedmeif it was okay.
“Yep. Buona notte, Neo.” Izzy says goodnight.
“I’ll come read your story in a minute, Iz,” I tell her as she passes me. When she’s out of earshot, I turn to Neo. “You know where the sofa is, obviously. If you plan on sleeping here, make yourself comfortable on it. There’re no spare rooms.” I walk out, trying my best to ignore his chuckle.
* * *
It took fifteen minutes of answering Izzy’s questions till she was settled down enough to let me go. We only read two pages of her story before her mini interrogation started.
What could I tell her? I did my best to redirect her interest to something else, but she kept going back to Neo. She’s a little smitten with him. He’s won her over so easily. If I’m honest with myself, he’s won me over too. I can’t get the guy out of my head.
Walking into my bedroom, I find the man in question on my bed, leaning against the headboard while flicking through his phone.
“Are you lost? This isn’t the sofa,” I ask him, pulling back the blankets on the side opposite him. At this point, I don’t care that he’s on the bed. I’m tired. I need sleep. I’m here to get a job done, and I plan on doing just that.
I climb into bed and pull the covers over myself. Then, reaching up, I flick the bedside light off and shroud us both in darkness. It’s an odd comfort. I’ve never been one to be scared of the dark. In the dark, you can hide. In the dark, you can be your true self. In the dark, you can attack without being seen.
I like the dark.
“When are you planning on running, Angelica?” Neo asks after about five minutes of pure silence.
“Who says I am?” My heart beats faster. I cannot let him in on my plans.
