Chapter 24
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
MILES
Gone again.
I fist the cold sheet on what’s supposed to be my side of the bed and grunt. If Blue is going to sleep on my side of the bed, the least she can do is stick around until I wake up. Not that she seems to realize she’s commandeering my side of the bed.
And not that I’ve been complaining when she’s lying there.
I throw my legs over the side of the bed and release a tension-filled yawn that makes my jaw pop. The smell of sex still lingers in the air as I brush the covers off of me and stand to get dressed in a pair of sweats.
I pad out toward the living room, stopping short just inside the room. Blue didn’t leave—she’s curled up on my couch in my black T-shirt with my rust-colored throw blanket partially covering her bare legs.
“Hey,” I greet her.
Her lips tip up at the corners but she doesn’t look up right away.
I take in the book in her hands, recognizing one of my copies of Wuthering Heights. A special edition cover I bought on a whim because I liked the style and was due a re-read of the classic.
Blue finally looks up, her eyes sparkling as they meet mine. “There are notes in the margin.”
“There are? Must have been from whoever I bought the book from.” I take a few more steps into the room to be closer to her. My lie is thin and she knows it, her smile only growing.
“Is that right?” She tilts her head and lets the book rest in her lap. I’m not sure how long she’s been awake, but she looks like she’s either made a serious dent in her morning reading or she skipped straight to a part of the book she likes because her thumb is holding a page nearly at the center of the book. “I think I’m going to need to compare these notes to a handwriting sample from you to verify your claim.”
I close the distance between us and take a seat on the couch with my body turned to face her. “I’ll file that request with Human Resources.”
“Your apartment has its own HR department? You have the most impressive amenities.” Blue leans her head against the back of the couch.
I allow myself to follow an urge and reach out to rub my thumb across her knee that’s sticking out from beneath my throw blanket. She shivers slightly when I touch her. My lips twitch as I fight a smile.
“You haven’t even seen the gym yet.”
Her nose wrinkles. “I’m more interested in your mini-library than a gym.”
I throw my head back, laughing like a little kid. “That doesn’t surprise me at all, Blue.” I move my hand from her knee to her calf and rest my palm against her.
“Are you ever going to explain that nickname?”
“Nah.” I reach out and tweak her nose teasingly.
She huffs. “I’m so disappointed in you.”
“How about I make that up to you by taking you to my favorite discount bookstore?” I suggest. I didn’t exactly plan to make the suggestion but after seeing her curled up with a book on my couch, I think I’d like to see her scouring the bookshelves next.
“I would love that!” Blue’s eyes go round with excitement. “If you want, we can try to get a picture together to post to social media. Book shopping together would probably really help sell the fake relationship.” She glances away bashfully, which I’m thankful for because I get the chance to fix my scowl before she looks back at me.
“Sure. We can take a picture.”
I stand up, suddenly desperate to put some space between us. One night of sex wasn’t going to change everything, but I wasn’t prepared for the reminder of our fake relationship deal first thing this morning.
I guess that tells me where her head is at. Why am I so surprised? I set myself up for this twisted disappointment from the very beginning. I’m getting everything I wanted out of the fake relationship. Brynne hasn’t shown up again and Luca is finally cutting me a break. And yet, I don’t feel like I’m getting what I want at all.