Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Maya finished up the last of her work for the day, then logged out of the computer system. She leaned back in her chair and scrubbed her hands over her face.
Her job was easy but tedious, and she was beginning to detest it more and more as the days passed. Recently, she’d even considered going back to school to finish her degree or trying to find a different job more relevant to her intended field.
Unfortunately, that would mean having to reenter the workforce… in public.
She didn’t mind going out from time to time, but she was always surrounded by friends or family. She knew she would eventually need to get back out there, but she wasn’t sure she was quite ready yet.
Her stomach rumbled, and she glanced at the clock in the lower corner of the computer screen. It was well past dinner time, and she pushed away from her chair to go in search of food.
She grabbed a single-serving frozen entrée from the freezer and popped it into the microwave, then settled back to wait as it cooked. Her gaze strayed toward the hallway that led to the bedroom, and warmth settled over her skin.
A different hunger nagged at her, and she picked up her phone, hoping to find a message from Aiden.
Her screen remained infuriatingly blank, and she let out a little sigh.
He’d been called out again on another case a week ago, and he seemed to have pulled away.
She wasn’t aware of the details of the case—he wasn’t able to tell her much—but she sensed it was something bad. He’d called only twice this week before bed, and his voice was full of some emotion she couldn’t name.
After only a few minutes of conversation, they’d hung up, leaving her feeling needy and insecure.
She hated feeling that way because she knew it wasn’t his fault. His job was incredibly demanding, both physically and mentally, and she knew he was doing his best to juggle everything.
Still, the knowledge didn’t lessen her disappointment.
She only hoped things would improve once he was back.
She quickly ate, then showered before bed. She kept her phone near her at all times, but it remained quiet all evening.
Finally, just when she was about ready to give up on him, the familiar jangle of her ringtone pierced the air. She practically lunged for her phone and snatched it up, her heart slamming against her ribs when she saw Aiden’s name.
“Hello?”
“Hey.”
Aiden sounded weary, and her heart pinched.
“How’s everything going?”
She knew he wouldn’t be able to offer any details about the case, but that wasn’t what she was after anyway. She wanted to know how he was dealing with whatever they had found.
“It’s… bad,” he finally admitted. “Sometimes I just… I hate this.”
Maya heard him swallow hard, and she bit her lip at the pain lacing his words.
She felt terrible for doubting him, even for a second.
“I’m sorry.”
She wasn’t quite sure what else to say.
“Are you making any progress?”
“Yeah.” He blew out a breath. “We should be done here soon, but it might take a couple of days to get everything wrapped up.”
“Okay.”
She hesitated a beat when he remained quiet.
“I miss you.”
“I miss you, too, sweetheart. So much.”
Maya heard the rustle of something in the background, and she wondered if he was in bed too or if he was just getting back to his hotel room for the night.
“I can’t wait to see you again.”
His softly spoken words tempered her disappointment, and she smiled.
“I’m all yours. You just tell me when.”
“I’ll let you know when I’m home,” he promised.
“Can’t wait.”
They said their goodbyes, then hung up.
She stared at the phone in her hand for a minute before plugging it in and placing it on the nightstand. She hated being away from him, not being able to share whatever he was going through.
He sounded absolutely miserable, and her heart hurt for him.
She wished there was something she could do.
For now, all she could do was offer silent support and be there if and when he was ready to talk. She hoped he would get things wrapped up quickly because she missed him like crazy.
She tucked one hand under her cheek as she rolled to her side, wishing he was next to her as she finally drifted off to sleep.