I slept in my contacts.
How had that happened?
And why was his neck achy? His back was stiff, too. At least no headache. Except something was on top of him.
Something heavy.
Two wide green eyes met his. The cat, not-so-tiny Tiny, was lying on his chest.
“Good morning?” Blaise wasn’t sure what to say to a cat. He’d never had pets growing up. He wasn’t home enough to have one now. “You have too much padding to be hungry.”
White whiskers twitched.
“I need to get up, so please move.”
The cat remained where he was and continued to stare at him.
Okay, Blaise was bigger. He could handle Tiny.
Outside, what sounded like a garbage truck drove past.
The cat jumped off of him.
“You need a new name, Tiny.” Blaise sat up.
A plaid fleece blanket fell to his waist. He didn’t remember covering himself with it, which meant someone else—most likely Hadley—had. His suit jacket hung off the back of a green velvet chair. Two backpacks sat near his computer bag on the floor. Shoes, too.
He’d been on the couch and closed his eyes for a few minutes. He must have fallen sound asleep. The consequences of doing that hit hard. He not only had missed his chance to speak with Hadley but also to return home last night. The day must have worn him out, which was unusual. He hadn’t had time for more nano-naps. Maybe those worked better than he imagined.
Blaise dragged his hand through his hair and then stretched his arms over his head. He needed to take out his contacts, shower, and brush his teeth. His bag with a change of clothes was with Lex. Who was probably wondering where he was.
He reached for his phone, but it wasn’t in his pocket. Panic shot through him. He had no idea of the time. The markets could be open by now.
“You’re awake.”Hadley stood in the entrance to the living room. Holding a wooden spoon, she wore a pink apron covered in red hearts over her white shirt and black pants.
His heart beat faster. Something that had nothing to do with his being out of touch with the rest of the world.
Weird.
Because he didn’t understand the reaction.
Yes, Hadley was pretty, but seeing her now flipped his stomach inside out. He hadn’t felt this way in years. Back then, work had triggered the reaction. A woman never had. He must be tired.
Blaise rolled his head to one side, stretching the muscles in his neck. “I’m sorry I fell asleep.”
“No apology needed,” she said. “Kids wear you out whether or not you’re used to it.”
“Our meeting…”
“Will happen this morning.”
Hadley didn’t have to tell him her priority was getting the kids to school. “At nine,” he confirmed.
She nodded.
Just as she’d told him yesterday. Blaise half laughed. “Proud of yourself for being right?”
Hadley shrugged. “Not really, because you wanted to get home last night.”
