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Candace:HA! I KNEW IT! Henry owes me $20.
Relief floods my veins.
Henry:Ugh. My money was on aliens, honestly. Damn.
Lara:You are both incorrigible.
Candace:Well, we’ll keep running tests until you return anyways. Hope your time with hot stuff has been long, hard, and fulfilling!
Candace sends a series of emojis ranging from an eggplant, to a cat face and an excessive amount of wink emotes.
I can hardly suppress my eye roll and chuckle at her shenanigans, but guilt weighs heavy on me that they have no idea who I’m with and that Caspian was the danger I needed protecting from.
Lara:It’s been something. Of that, I’m certain. I’ll fill you in when I see you. Not sure how much longer it’ll be. I’m guessing at least another week or two.
Candace:Sounds good, hun! Talk to you soon and be safe!
Henry:Talk to you later, Lara!
I connect my phone to the charger, grab a fresh set of pajamas from the dresser, and make my way to the shower before finally settling into bed.
I startle awake to the sound of gentle knocking, my body curled around Val’s form.
We both lift our heads, turning our attention to the door as it slowly swings open. The room is cloaked in darkness, the heavy blackout curtains creating deep shadows that stretch into the corners as Darian’s silhouette fills the doorway. He leans casually against the frame, the soft light of the hallway making his face shadowed from where I lay.
Despite his repeated acts to protect me, there’s an underlying sense of unease that lingers in the air between us. It’s akin to the anticipation before a storm, where the dark clouds gather and distant thunder rumbles, yet the wind and rain have yet to arrive.
“What is it?” My voice is barely a whisper.
Darian laughs softly, “You mean other than time to get up, sleepyhead?”
“I haven’t slept that long, have I?” My attention shifts to Val, who shoots me a sidelong glance before redirecting his gaze back to Darian.
The lack of response furthers my unease.
“How long have I been asleep?” My brows furrow in confusion. There’s an unspoken tension in the air as my gaze shifts between them.
“Two full days,” Darian presses the button on the blinds, bringing a flood of light into the room, “I’ve come in here a few times to check on you. Do you not remember?” Darian’s voice is soft, but the concern in it clear as day.
My gaze lowers to the floor as I desperately try to recall anything but come up empty-handed. “Nothing. I remember showering and laying down to sleep.”
I rub my temples, attempting to massage away the slight headache that has settled in my skull.
“Well, I’m glad you’re awake. Hungry?” he asks, his tone deceivingly light.
As if it has a mind of its own, my stomach makes a loud gurgling sound, and Darian tilts his head back to bark a genuine laugh.
“I’ll be right there, I have 2 days’ worth of bathroom breaks to make up for.” I say, as my bladder suddenly feels like it could explode.
Scrambling off the bed, I rush to the bathroom, hearing Darian’s laughter trailing behind me as he makes his way to the kitchen.
Joining him in the kitchen, I notice him setting a plate filled with a delicious assortment of breakfast sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon on the floor for Val. He slides a plate over to me, adorned with the same mouthwatering spread and my stomach rumbles in anticipation.
Darian, with a knowing grin, pushes a full glass of orange juice across the countertop toward me.
I might be in love.
This has to be love.
