Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
Devyn
Sunlight slices through the room, effectively ending my deep sleep. The absence of heat from Riley’s body clues me in to the fact that he’s missing before I even turn over to confirm it. I listen for any signs of him in the bathroom. I sit up when I realize I’m the only one in our room. Where the heck is he? He wouldn’t have just left in the middle of the night, right? No, that’s ridiculous.
I look around as my eyes adjust to the brightness and find a note on the nightstand.
Good morning, beautiful. Went to get coffee. Be back soon.
I smile at his thoughtfulness. Riley knows I can’t function before having at least one cup of coffee. I decide to take a quick shower to freshen up before he returns. As I exit the bathroom wearing nothing but the hotel-issued robe, I find him leaning against the dresser.
I smile. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He holds up two cups from Starbucks. “I thought you might need some caffeine before heading back to your apartment.”
I grab one and take a healthy sip. “Mmm, you thought right.”
I think he groaned. “Uh…good.”
I cock my head to the side and study him. Does he look uncomfortable to you, too?
“You okay?”
He chokes a little on the sip he was taking. “What? Uh, yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Okay, why is he being so twitchy? Is this normal morning-after behavior? Does he regret last night?
“You’re acting weird, Riley. What’s going on?”
He clears his throat. “Weird? Huh. I don’t feel weird. I think you’re letting your imagination get the best of you, Dev.”
I put my hand on my hip. “Spill it, Rye. Why are you being so cagey? Do you regret what happened last night?”
He looks shocked. “What? God, no.” He sets his coffee on the dresser and walks over to me. “Why would you ask that? Do you have regrets? ”
I shake my head and make direct eye contact. “Not a single one.”
He smiles. “Well, then we’re in agreement. No regrets.”
Riley
Okay, this is it. I need to cut off any chance of the L word showing its face again. I grab her coffee out of her hand and place it next to mine. I don’t feel like being scalded if this goes downhill.
“Last night was fun. A lot of fun.”
“Fun?” she repeats.
I employ the panty-melting grin. “Sure. I had a great time. Didn’t you?”
She scowls. “You could say that…”
I can see her mind working overtime. Dev’s always been an open book around me. She’s wondering if I heard her last night. She’s wondering if she should bring it up. That would be a hell no. Time to finish this.
I grab my bag, sling it over my shoulder, and place her car keys in her palm. “Here’s your keys. I need to get back to school. There’s been a change of plans. My parents called while I was getting coffee. They’re coming into town a bit early to help me box up all my stuff before graduation.”
Her jaw drops. “You’re leaving? How are you getting home?”
“I’m taking the train. They’re going to pick me up from the station in Eugene.”
“Oh,” she says in barely more than a whisper. “So, I guess I’ll see you when I get back tomorrow then?”
“Maybe…I’ll be pretty busy with my folks. They want to load all my stuff into our trucks before gr ad so we can leave right after the ceremony. I’m going back to Napa with them for a short visit before heading out to Boston.”
She looks dumbfounded. “And this was all planned during your coffee run?”
The story was. My parents really are on their way, but they won’t be in town until tomorrow morning.
“Huh? No, I’ve been planning to spend a few days in Napa for weeks now. I’m sure I must’ve told you.”
“It must’ve slipped your mind.” Devyn gulps.
I shrug. “My bad.”
She sits on the end of the bed. “So…I guess I’ll see you when I see you?”
I place my hand on the doorknob. “Yep. I’ll see ya later. Thanks for a fun night, Dev.”
I think she muttered something as I closed the door, but I’m not positive. I know that was a dick move, and I feel like shit, but I also know it’s for the best. There’s no way I could ever be the kind of man she deserves. Devyn will see that in time.
I hope.
Don’t worry. I won’t hold it against you if you hate me a little right now. I’m not so impressed with myself either.