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That question is enough to have my heart slamming painfully against my ribcage. “Nothing. We’re just hooking up. It’s not that big of a deal.” Pushing out that response leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, because nothing could be further from the truth.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
When I refuse to say anything more, she glances at her computer before rubbing her eyes. “I should probably get back to it. I’ve still got a couple hours to knock out before calling it a night.”
“Don’t stress. You’re gonna kill it.”
A smile curves her lips. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
I blow her a kiss before heading to my room to change. Just as I’m about to pull off my shirt, something on the bed catches my attention. I step closer, trying to get a better look.
It’s a paperback.
It’s probably the one I loaned to Juliette last week. She’s been devouring them lately. It might have taken a couple years, but I’ve finally managed to turn her to the dark and smutty side.
I pick up the book and inspect it with more care. My brows draw together as my fingers slide over the crisp cover. That’s strange. It’s not one I recognize. I flip it over to check out the blurb.
Wait a minute…I think it’s from one of my wish lists.
A new release.
Aww, Juliette is the sweetest. She really is a good friend.
My step is a little lighter as I return to the living room and hold up the paperback. For the first time in hours, a genuine smile curves my lips.
“Hey, thanks for the book. I was looking forward to getting my hot little hands on this one.”
She glances up from the computer screen. “Oh, that’s not from me. Ford dropped it off earlier this afternoon. I thought you saw it before you left for dinner.”
I can only stare as my heart hitches. Seconds later, an ache blooms in the center of my chest before slowly spreading outward. It’s tempting to lift my hand and rub at the spot.
He did?
That’s something he used to do in high school. Every once in a while, I’d find a paperback waiting for me on my bed. It was that kind of thoughtfulness that had me falling head over heels for him.
“That doesn’t really seem like something a guy would do if he’s just hooking up with a random girl,” she says softly, drawing my attention back to her.
Those words circle viciously through my head as I clutch the paperback to my chest. Unsure what to say, I clear my throat and avoid the questions that simmer in her eyes. “I’m, ah, going to bed now.”
“All right. Good night.”
“Night.”
Once in my room, I change my clothes and slip beneath the covers before staring at the book again. Almost reluctantly, I flip to the first page. That’s all it takes for me to get sucked into the story. This is a brand-new release from my favorite author. I’ve been dying to pick it up but just haven’t had the time with everything going on. Sure, I could have downloaded the e-book, but there’s something about the feel of a paperback in my hands.
After an hour or so, my eyelids finally grow heavy, and I set the book carefully on the nightstand before turning out the light and rolling over. If I’m lucky, I’ll drift right off to sleep.
Except…
That doesn’t happen.
Half an hour later, I flip over, hit my pillow a couple of times, and attempt to get comfortable. Then, I flop onto my back and huff out an aggravated breath as I stare sightlessly up at the ceiling. There’s too much circling around in my brain, and I can’t turn it off. Most of it has to do with my mother. Maybe I need to sit down with her and have an honest conversation. I can bring up all the reasons she took off in the first place.
It can’t hurt, right?
Now that I’ve come up with a potential resolution in regard to Pamela, I squeeze my eyes closed and try to fall asleep again.
