“And you can’t do that here?”
She snorts.“No.Nothing about living here is normal.”
“It can be.I’ve told you to treat this as your home.”I shift a bit closer, our knees now touching.“Who are you going to hug in your sleep?”
“What?”Her eyes widen and a pink flush creeps into her cheeks.
“You hug me in your sleep.”
She dips her chin to her chest before lifting it to meet my gaze.“Sorry about that.”
“I like it.”
We stare at each other for a moment before she swallows.“I usually hug a pillow when I sleep.”She shakes her head.“Look, I’ve got to go.”
“I want to come with you to Montreal.Meet the family.”
“No.”She shoots to standing, taking quick steps to put distance between us.“Don’t you get it?I’d have to introduce you and explain us.They know I’m dating you but I’m not ready for that.Having you with me defeats the purpose of why I’m leaving.”
“So, it is me.”
“No, it isn’t.”She releases a heavy, exasperated breath.“You’re twisting my words.”
“I’m twisting your words?”I’m now standing, too.“You’re talking in circles and I’m getting dizzy.”
I rake my hand roughly through my damp, now mussed, hair and she worries her bottom lip as our gazes lock.At least she can look at me.
“I’m going for the weekend.Alone.”
“And then you’re moving out.”My tone and expression are equally resigned, belying my displeasure and mounting frustration.“Are you having second thoughts about our deal?”
“No.My going away this weekend and moving out doesn’t change our agreement.”
“To me, it seems like the first step to ending things.”My smile is sardonic, and her eyes flick away uneasily.Perhaps not wanting me to see that I’ve hit the nail on the head?
“It isn’t.I promise.”Her words don’t carry much weight given she still isn’t looking at me.
“Really?And what do I say to Nan and Morgan when they hear you’ve moved out?”
“My living here was temporary.They knew that, so did you.”She pulls up the handle of the suitcase, wheeling it toward the door.“I have to go.I’ve got a meeting before I head to Union Station.”
“Do you want a ride?”My need to help overrides my annoyance.“I’d drive you but I still have to shower and get ready.My driver can take you.”
She pauses at the threshold, now staring intently with warm cocoa eyes.“That would be great.Thank you.”
“Head on down.I’ll make the call.”I pull my phone from the pocket of my shorts.“Safe travels and have a good weekend.”
“Thanks, and you too.”
After my shower, Morgan slips in beside me on my way to the elevator.It’s as if she was lying in wait.
“G’morning.”She beams.
I grunt in response, not even making an effort to lift my eyes from my phone.She’s ready to pounce, it’s coming, and maybe, just maybe, if I give her little to no attention, she’ll lose interest.
“So, Paige is away this weekend?”I ignore her, hitting the call button for a driver.“Why didn’t you go to Montreal with her?”
I press the elevator down button, and she blocks the doors, hands on hips.“What’s going on?”
