Chapter twenty-four
“Damn! Damn!”
I opened my eyes, trying to get used to the brightness of the room, until I saw Helena's silhouette jumping out of bed.
“Hey!” I tried to pull her back, but she dodged me. “What's wrong?”
“I should have gone home.”
“I thought she'd like to spend the night with me.” I sat on the bed and watched her put on her dress and run her hands through her disheveled hair.
“I...” He pondered, biting his lips, and his cheeks turned red. “I liked it.”
“So what's the problem?”
“I have to be at school in an hour, and I still need to go home to change and hopefully have a shower.”
I got out of bed, still blinking sleepily, and reached into my pants pocket for my cell phone, which was lying on the floor.
It was full of calls that I hadn't answered and an alarm clock that I'd certainly ignored.
“Damn!”
“I have to run to the subway!”
“Hold on.” I grabbed her waist and pulled her back as she passed me.
“Thomas, I really have to go.”
“I know, I have appointments too. I'll just get dressed and take her home. I'll wait for you to get ready and take you to school.”
“You don't have to.”
“I'm to blame for your tardiness.”
Her cheeks turned red.
“It was for a good reason.” He was so embarrassed that he couldn't keep staring at me. “I don't want you to be late either.”
“Fortunately, I'm my own boss.”
“Okay.” Since she agreed so quickly, I figured she was really worried about the schedule.
I found the hotel room, and we left as quickly as we could. I drove through the streets of New York City to her apartment and waited outside for her to get ready as quickly as she could. Then I dropped her off at school and went home. The children had already left, and there was no one around, but I needed a clean, well-tailored suit to meet a client.