Yeah, I think so too.
35.
He’s so beautiful while he sleeps – like a prince of darkness contained by slumber.
It’s almost 4 in the morning, and even though I’ve tried, I haven’t been able to get a shuteye. The moment when Rizwana stabbed Dorran keeps playing in my head, and despite being brief, it still makes me shiver.
To me, Dorran is invincible, but what happened at the gala proves otherwise. I’m terrified of it, andscaredof feeling terrified.
If all of this had happened a week ago, I wouldn’t even have known about it, much less cared for it. But now – after everything I’ve seen and everything Dorran and I have shared – it seems as though we were predestined to coexist; to entangle and become irreplaceable facets in each other’s lives.
My phone vibrates in my hoodie pocket. I slowly, tentatively, pull my hand away from Dorran’s hair and sit up on his bed, then slide my phone out and open the text that’s flashing on my screen.
Alex was generous enough to lend me his spare – andabsolutelypriceless, according to him – hoodie when I’d freshened up inFinesse’sbathroom earlier. He’d also ordered McDonald’s for him, Varsha, and I while we’d waited for Dr. Myers to finish treating Dorran. The mood around us may have been heavy, but the three of us had still managed to enjoy our meal and talk about random shit to help us pass the time.
The glass windows in Dorran’s bedroom showcase the sky and the empty street below us, and it’s such a peaceful view that it takes great effort for me to pull my eyes away from it.
I sigh and bring my attention to the message Mave has just sent me.
Mave:You okay? I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier.
I let go of a breath and press my fingers to my forehead. Fuck, I can feel a headache coming in.
Me:It’s okay. And I’m sorry I lost my temper with you. That was totally uncalled for.
Him and I had had an argument on the phone when he’d called me while I was in the parking lot with Dorran and the crew. I have to say: I behaved insensitively, and didn’t value his concerns at the time because my focus was entirely on Dorran.
His reply is almost instant.
Mave:You don’t have to apologize.
Mave:Why are you up, though? Are you still with that Ivan guy?
A pang of guilt tightens my chest.
I’ve lied to him in the past about my whereabouts and such, but it never feels good, or gets easy. But it does suck when he takes his job too seriously and tries to suffocate me with the rules, given how well he knows me.
Me:Yeah. We had a few drinks, and he let me stay over in his guest room.
I’m gonna go to hell for lying to him.
Mave:I can pick you up if you’d like.
Me:It’s okay. He said he wanted to discuss investing into Lure during breakfast, so I think I’ll stay.
Mave:I still don’t get why you’re so adamant.
Me:I told you: I care about the brand.
He takes a couple of minutes to reply this time.
Mave:Fine, but if you need me to pick you up before I start my shift, let me know.
Me:You can come in late if you wanna. I’ll be here a while.
Mave:You’re seriously pushing it, Nettie.
I sigh and type back a response.
