Going back to my life in Buffalo and leaving this man behind will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Chapter 34
Dylan
Eden finally gives in and agrees to spend the night with me, and this happens.
What the fuck?
“I’m coming,” I say between clenched teeth after another series of raps on my apartment door.
I fell asleep with Eden in my arms less than an hour ago, and now this.
Thankfully, the constant knocking on my door didn’t wake her.
It has to be Mrs. Berinco. She lives down the hall. Whenever she has a nightmare, I’m the guy who calms her down with a cup of herbal tea and a story about college.
She’s ninety-six-years-old. Her husband died more than twenty years ago. She’s lived alone ever since.
“Mrs. Berinco.” I swing open the door.
“Is probably fast asleep.” Barrett looks me over. “You’ve been going hard with the crunches. Look at those abs.”
I drop my gaze to my bare stomach. I put on a pair of sweatpants before I left my bedroom.
I didn’t want to give Mrs. Bernico an eyeful.
“What the hell, Barrett?” I move so he can pass me. “Do you know what time it is?”
He glances at the watch on his wrist. “It’s nine a.m. in London.”
“Why aren’t you there?” I close the door and turn to face him. “Why are you here?”
His attention is on the clothing on the floor. Eden’s shirt, her jeans, and her lingerie litter the floor in front of the couch. My jeans and shirt sit in a pile near his feet. “You’re not alone.”
“I’m not.”
That turns him back around. “Eden?”
I nod. “Eden’s asleep.”
He stalks toward me. “I’m out of here. I should have called first, but you probably wouldn’t have picked up.”
I huff out a laugh. “I wouldn’t have picked up.”
“I’m flying out tomorrow afternoon.” He adjusts the strap of his duffel bag on his shoulder. “If you want to meet for coffee, give me a call. I’m going to grab a room at the hotel down the street so I can crash.”
“Barrett?”
We both turn at the sound of Eden’s voice.
She’s standing near the hallway. She’s wrapped in the blanket from my bed. She looks like an angel with the light filtering in from the window illuminating the side of her face.
“Eden.” Barrett raises his hand in a wave. “I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“You didn’t.” She takes a step closer. “I got a call. I need to go.”
I push past Barrett so I can get to her. I hear the tremble in her voice. I see the way she’s shivering under the blanket.