“Let’s go,” she snaps.
That does it. “Don’t be all bossy with me. I don’t know any strippers.” Now I’m frowning.
“I’m sorry.” She drops back against the passenger seat and turns to face me. “Thanks for letting me sleep over. It can be like a girls’ night.”
I shake my head. “I’m going to bed when we get home. You can work out whatever this is on your own.”
I’m asleep before my head meets the pillow. Elaine’s snug in my little guest room, and as yet, she still hasn’t shed a tear. She doesn’t even seem mad anymore.
I’m about to accuse them both of pulling some inexplicable role-playing stunt, but I hesitate. I could be wrong.
Still, I know my friend has a wild side. I’m just too tired to delve into it tonight. Lainey’s like my sister, and if she needs to crash here, that’s fine. We’ll sort it out tomorrow.
Somewhere past midnight, I wake with a jolt. The house is quiet, but I throw back the covers and go to my bedroom door. My heart is beating so fast as I pause and listen, but everything sounds peaceful. What was it?
I stand a few moments in groggy silence, trying to remember what might’ve woken me. It’s been a while since I’ve slept on edge, sleep so near waking it could hardly qualify as restful, and it often involved clutching that small can of pepper spray under my pillow. It was how I usually slept when I lived in Sloan’s house.
Elaine’s voice comes from the guest room, so I tiptoe down the hall. The yellow-pine floor is soft and warm beneath my feet in spite of the cold, and the cottage is new enough that nothing creaks. I’m quiet as a cat sneaking around.
“I swear I heard something.” Her voice is a shaky whisper. She pauses, listening to whoever’s on the line… I’m pretty certain I know who it is. “Maybe.” Pause. “I guess I was asleep, but come over and spend the night anyway.” More waiting as she listens. “We’ll worry about that tomorrow. I need you here.”
Rolling my eyes at the pleading tone in her voice, I’m fully prepared to find Patrick in my kitchen in the morning. They’re both about to make my shit list for whatever’s going on. Still, I’m smiling as I crawl back into my bed.
Lainey’s not used to being here, and I’m not used to overnight guests in that little room. We most likely disturbed each other, but I’ll sleep better with Patrick here. And the truth is, I’m relieved to know they’re okay, no matter what I witnessed at their condo tonight. I drift back to sleep, my shaky self-confidence restored.
Sure enough, Derek’s business partner is standing in my kitchen when I stagger in for coffee the next morning. He’s in a white tee and the same faded jeans, and he’s cute as ever with his messy bedhead and scruffy cheeks.
“Good morning,” I say with a squint. “I guess we’re all made up again?”
“Hey, babe.” He steps forward and pecks my forehead. “Sleep okay?”
“All except for a few moments after midnight…”
His body goes on visible defense. “Did you hear something?”
I feel like I’m calming a German Shepherd. “I heard Elaine on the phone begging you to come over.”
His broad shoulders drop. “Oh.”
Jamming my hands on my hips, my voice is raised now. “What the hell is going on here? First Derek’s wound so tight, now you and Elaine are acting like… I don’t know what. Like you’re auditioning for community theater—”
“Hang on.” He steps toward me and then looks around.
“She’s still in the guest room, but she’ll be flying in here any minute. She has to be at school in an hour.”
He catches me by the shoulders and pulls me further into the kitchen. “Just between us, okay?”
I nod, unsure what he’s about to say.
“Derek wants to tell you himself. So just be cool.”
He’s quiet again, and it actually appears he’s done. That’s it. All I get.
I push his hands off me. “What! That’s the most… I thought you were about to tell me something I can use.”
“And risk the wrath of Derek? No fucking way. T
hat’s one ass-kicking I’ve somehow managed to avoid, and I plan to keep it that way.” He laughs, and turns to the fridge, pulling out the OJ. “But Elaine’s spending the night with you until he gets here, okay?”