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The rest of their day was way more relaxed.
Even when Catherine came over and had them pick what they were going to wear the next day, it had seemed normal and fun.
Dave had done his best to show her how to shoot a basketball but there had been more laughing than teaching.
For dinner they ate on Leslie’s back patio overlooking the Hollywood Hills and Sabine could see it—the appeal of this kind of life. On its surface it was simple and elegant. This was the kind of life her mom had believed she was entitled to: wealthy, easy living. Maybe that’s why it made Sabine uncomfortable.
That’s what she was thinking about when she should have been sleeping.
The bed was comfortable, the blankets soft, the ambient noise pleasant. She couldn’t even tell Dave was on the other side of the bed. He had remained perfectly still and silent since they’d laid down an hour ago.
But she was awake, hands folded over her stomach, staring at the ceiling.
Dave rolled over in her direction and she sucked in a breath.
“Sorry. Did I scare you?” he asked softly.
“I thought you were sleeping.”
“How can I sleep with your loud thoughts taking up the entire bed?”
He was teasing, she could hear it in his voice. But it just made her feel guilty.
“I’m sorry. I can go find—”
He put a hand on top of hers. “Just talk to me.”
She took a deep breath. He picked up one of her hands and held it.
“I was thinking about my mom, of all things.” It felt weird to say out loud. “How if she knew where I was right now, she’d probably try to take that too.”
His fingers flexed against hers.
“She can’t have this.”
Sabine snorted and rolled her eyes. “Obviously. The paperwork from Curtis alone would stop her.”
“No.” He scootched a bit closer. “This.” He squeezed her hand. “You. These moments we have that are real and simple and perfect. She can never have anything close to that. Thieves never can.”
She blinked as her eyes burned. Well, that was unexpected.
“And maybe it’s not my place but I’m just gonna say it. If she tries to mess with you ever again, I will make her regret it. No. No. Strike that. She won’t get a chance to regret it because she won’t get a chance to mess with you.” He scooched closer. “Just thinking about anyone trying to hurt you makes me a little crazy inside.”
She sniffed a laugh. “Thanks.”
He moved his thumb over the back of her hand. “You aren’t allowed to go anywhere, I’ve decided.” The teasing was back in his voice.
“Oh really?”
“Yeah. You’re very ergonomic.”
Her laugh bubbled out of her. “What?”
“Yep.” He sounded so very sure of himself. “You fit right by me.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked, her giggles shaking the bed.
