Broken Hearts (Light in the Dark 5)

I sit down on the bed beside my suitcase and pull my phone out of my pocket.

I expect a text from Jace, asking if I got here safe, but there’s nothing.

I know I shouldn’t be surprised, I left him, but I still thought he’d be worried and want to check in.

Maybe he needs a break as much as I do.

I miss him already, but I know if I’d get on a plane and go back home all those feelings would return and I’d want to get away again.

Right now, this is where I need to be.

I turn to my suitcase and unzip it, grabbing what I need for my shower and a pair of pajamas.

When I leave the bedroom, Owen is in the kitchen, drinking a bottle of water.

“I’m going to shower.” I point unnecessarily to the bathroom.

He nods. “I’m going to get settled for the night. I have to be at work early. I’ll leave a spare key on the counter so you can go out if you want to.”

“Thank you.”

I duck into the bathroom and lean my back against the closed door.

“This is for the best,” I whisper to myself. “I need time.”

But what if you take too much time and he’

s gone when you get back?

Morning sunlight bleeds through the wispy curtains and I crack my eyes open.

The last thing I want to do is get up and face the day. I’d rather stay burrowed beneath the covers for the rest of my life. At least it’s safe here.

I know I can’t do that, though, so I push the blankets off me and sit up.

I look around the strange room. Nothing’s familiar, but that brings comfort to me.

I slip from the bed and pad out of the room.

I find the key on the counter along with a note from Owen.

Get out—don’t stay shut up. The city awaits. I’ll see you for dinner.

—O

I grab the key and stare at it.

It’d be all too easy to stay inside, to not face the world, but that’s not why I came here.

I get dressed and put on some makeup. I brush my hair and let it hang down, the dark waves seem to lack some of their usual luster but maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.

I let myself out and lock the door behind me.

When I burst outside, I blink from the harsh sunlight. It takes me a moment to be able to see, and when I do I look to my left and then my right.

Both look the same to me. I have no idea where his apartment is located in the city, and what might be around.

I play eenie, meenie, miney, moe with myself and end up picking the right.