“I don’t know what there is to do here, and especially on a Tuesday night.”
She laughs. “What time do you have to be at work tomorrow?”
“Same as today.”
“Me, too. Why don’t we keep it low-key?”
“I’m good with that.” I drum my fingers on my thighs, trying to hide my excitement about spending more time with her. “How do we keep it low-key around here?”
“Why don’t you go for your run and come over after. I’ll order dinner, and we can play Scrabble.”
“Scrabble?”
“Medical term Scrabble.” She pulls up to the hotel.
Grinning, I lick my lips. “I’m pretty good at that.”
“So, you’ve said.”
“Okay, text me your address when you get home. I’ll text you when I’m on my way.”
“Deal. But fair disclosure, I’ll kick your ass.”
“We’ll see about that.” I lean over and kiss her on the cheek, once again automaticallydoing it.
She inhales sharply, turns her head toward me, and our lips are inches apart.
I hold myself back from crushing my lips into hers. “I’ll see you tonight.”
She bites her lip and nods.
“Thanks for the ride.” I get out and walk into the hotel as guilt, excitement, and lust all rush through me. I spend the next hour with Billie and Charlotte’s faces in my mind, fighting my demons and still not able to remember anything that will put the puzzle pieces of my mind together.
12
Xander
Four Months Earlier
“Piperand I need to head back to Chicago in a few weeks,” Noah tells me. We just got done with our run and are both breathing hard and sweating.
We grab bottles of water, and I throw some cash at the vendor. I knew Noah wouldn’t stay in New York forever, but I can’t say I’m not disappointed.
“Not sure how you can leave New York,” I tell him.
“You were going to. You still will.” He says with surety and confidence.
“You said I planned to move to Chicago, but there is no way I could ever leave New York.”
Noah laughs. “You got your dream position. They are still holding it for you. You’ll be moving one of these days. I don’t doubt it.”
I shake my head, trying to grasp living anywhere besides New York. “Honestly. Can you say you don’t miss New York when you’re in Chicago?”
Noah shrugs. “Sure. There are things I’ll always miss about New York, but Chicago isn’t bad. Besides, I got Piper.”
I’m happy he has Piper. I like her, too. But a twinge of pain fills my heart that I still haven’t found Billie. “Hopefully, I’ll find Billie soon, and we can work out whatever happened between us.”
Noah stops walking, and sternly says, “Xander, you need to stop this.”
