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“Unlike Americans, these uptight bankers would never comment. So I won’t have to address the issue.”
My encounter with Kev has made me feel filthy. A Turkish bath is out of the question, Then, I announce, “I’m going to take a shower.”
“Let me know if you want me to scrub your back at some point.” Unfortunately the tub in this place isn’t big enough for the two of us, so I don’t invite him to join me.
The water from the showerhead is feeble, but I stand under it for a long time, scrubbing and scrubbing to wash away the feeling of being covered in slime. I can’t bring myself to leave the safety of the water.
Max calls in to me. “Cress, need some help? Should I come and help you wash Kev away?”
I shudder. Kev’s taunts spoil my thoughts about our romantic evening. They play on a loop and tears pour down my face.
Do I want him to come in? Yes. But I don’t want him to find me in this pathetic state, so I lie. “No thanks. I can manage.”
I hide there until Max walks and turns off the tap. He wraps me in a towel, and gently pushes me toward the door. I collapse onto the bed. He follows me into the bedroom, hands me a glass of water and a couple of ibuprofen, then slips into sleep pants and a worn T-shirt.
“Might mitigate the aches and pains from the fall and the hangover you’ll have after the Negroni and all the wine at dinner,” Max tells me, his face creased with worry.
I groan and choke down the pills and a second glass of water. Then I huddle under the covers and let him cradle me until I finally fall asleep.
ChapterFifteen
Cress
Watery sunlight penetrates the blinds when I wake up. I reach out for Max, feeling a little empty when I realize his side of the bed is empty and cold. “Hey, Siri, what time is it?”
A computerized voice rises from my cellphone to announce, “It’s seven thirty a.m.”
My stomach clenches, and a whirling sensation fills my chest. Panic sets in. Max should be back from his swim by now. Where the hell is he? I lie there, fighting for control using deep breathing and muscle relaxation routines to calm my rapid heartbeat and give me space to think.
Still uneasy, I turn over and bury my face in Max’s pillow. The faint scent of eucalyptus and menthol from my nightly application of Vick’s overlays the delicious aroma from Max’s pillow of lime from the shampoo he gets from Trumpers. Calmness flows over me from the familiar smell, and I slide up the headboard, don my glasses, and look around.
Footsteps clatter on tile. Max walks in from the bathroom wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt.Danger! Dad jokes falling, it warns. The graphic is a facepalm. I couldn’t resist getting it for him when the ad popped up on Facebook. Max cracked up when I presented it to him. I bought one for his dad too.
His gray sweatpants have damp spots from splashing water. He rubs his chin, smooth from his morning shave, and takes in my unsexy long-sleeved tee with its faded Somerville crest. No provocative nightwear for me. Pajamas are where old T-shirtsand threadbare sweatpants go to die. I run my hand through my hair, feeling the tangles.
When I move, twinges set up everywhere. I must have tweaked every muscle last night. Nausea and a headache from the hangover Max predicted make me wish, not for the first time, that I hadn’t had so much to drink.
No matter how much I travel, the first few days are always an adjustment. This time is worse because I’m not alone and the multiple threats surrounding Max cast a pall over everything. Usually, it’s just getting used to budget hotels with showers in hallway cabinets, cramped rooms with the only electrical outlet high above the TV fastened to the wall, and unfamiliar beds. Being in the lap of luxury hasn’t mitigated my feeling of dread.
I stretch like a cat. I miss the weight of Dorothy sleeping on my stomach. Or Thorfinn poking his nose into my face. Next trip we need a place that supplies companion animals. I know I should get up, but wallowing is so seductive.
Max sits on the edge of the bed and examines my face. “Wakey-wakey.”
I swallow so words don’t catch in my throat. My just-got-up voice sounds clogged. “How was your swim?”
“Refreshing. Saw a few people I know.”
I push myself out of bed and move toward the bathroom.“I need a shower and some coffee.”
Max raises his arm and turns his wrist to expose his watch. “JL expects us at eight.”
“Go without me. I’ll just order something from room service.”
“Not bloody likely. I don’t want you out of my sight.”
“I don’t meet Ainsley until one at the Savoy Grill.”
“And I have a favor to ask.”
