CLICK-CLACK…
CLICK-CLACK…
I pull back and look around. “Hello?”
An intruder. That’s the only thing I can think of. We leave the cabin alone for a day, and someone breaks in. This could have happened while Evie was here. Shit. Why did I let her stay here alone? What if someone broke in when I wasn’t around?
Evie cowers behind me, looking at me for answers, but I have none—not until Christine appears out of thin air. Not literally, of course. She comes out of the spare bedroom with a pleasant smile on her painted lips. I don’t know whether to be relieved or even more jolted by the sight of my COO.
“Hey there!” Christine beams.
I always knew she was coming on the trip, but I didn’t expect to see her in this cabin—with no text. No e-mail. What the hell?
“Jesus.” I chuckle. “Give a guy some warning next time, won’t you?”
“I e-mailed.” She lifts a brow, looking between us. “Did you not receive it?”
Evie shakes her head profusely. “No, but the signal is bad in the woods sometimes. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Christine chuckles. “I didn’t mean to catch you off guard.”
“Then what are you doing here?” I know Christine well enough that I can poke slightly. Still lingering by the door, I take off my shoes. It’s strange, but I suddenly don’t feel at home in the cabin I’ve been turning into a home for nearly two weeks.
“There was a plumbing problem with my cabin.” Her nose curls. “Disgusting scene to walk in on, and I’m still recovering from the smell, but I know you have an extra room here.”
“Right.” I clear my throat, exchanging a brief look with Evie. Her clear expression tells me nothing. “The third room is small. Practically a closet, really. I can probably find you a better arrangement.”
She waves a hand dismissively. “I already checked it out. It’s fine. Sure, it’s small, but it will suit me for the week.”
The week—the whole week. This isn't good. Evie and I have already been sneaking around, and not very well, but this cabin is the only place we’ve been able to disappear—just the two of us.
Christine’s presence grounds me and reminds me of what I’ve always known. Work has to come first. My work saves the planet and people, and it’s worth putting my energy into…
Evie is the only thing that can distract me.
She smiles at Christine, her expression bright even in the face of something that can put a wedge between us. “We’re happy to have you here. I made croissants the other day. They’re not as fresh anymore, but…”
Evie continues chatting about her baked goods, which are overflowing in the kitchen, but all I can hear is the pounding and ringing in my ears.
Everything is about to change. It’s only a week, but it’s the last week Evie and I have before we return to the real world. Now, someone is taking that away from us.
EVIE
Waiting… waiting… that’s all I’m doing.
Apparently, Christine is a night owl. I never would have guessed it, and I definitely wouldn’t have judged it, but it’s a problem now that I’m waiting to talk with Theo. We sit in the living room, and I’m stiff, unable to focus on anything. We need to speak, and it needs to be alone!
Christine picks the movie—science fiction—another surprise. I’m not ahugefan of the genre, but after watching so many of Theo’s boring documentaries…
This is fine. The movie choice is the least of our problems tonight.
Oh, but it’s never-ending. When the first movie ends, she picks another. It’s nearly two in the morning when she finally goes to bed. I would usually be dead tired by now, accustomed to waking up with the sun for work, but I’m wired. Anxiety does that to me.
The last time I was this worried, I found an eviction notice on my front door. That was arguably worse, but it doesn’t feel that way—not to my heart. Our love bubble was always going to pop when the trip ended, but this is too soon. I’m not ready—we’renot ready.
We’re not alone, even when Christine’s bedroom door shuts. Not really. She could come out at any moment and surprise us, like she did with her arrival.
“What will we do?” I whisper urgently, scooting closer to the edge of the couch.
