Once I feel calm enough I throw the sheets back and climb out of bed.
The apartment is quiet, but I can hear one of Alexis’s reality shows playing in the living room. The normalcy of it helps a little.
I drag in a breath and head straight for the bathroom.
I jump in the shower and allow the freezing water to blast over me.
The cold shocks through me at first, but then everything sharpens. My thoughts. My pulse. My breathing.
I brace my hands against the wall and lower my head, letting the water pour over my hair and shoulders.
Levi slips into my thoughts again, and suddenly all I can picture is his smile. The way he looked at me last night like I was something precious instead of broken.
Even if I spoiled whatever we had, I still have those moments.
“You alive in there?” Alexis calls, knocking on the bathroom door. “Or did you drown dramatically?”
I lift my head and find myself smiling at the sound of her voice.
“I’m alive,” I say, but the meaning in my answer goes beyond the joke.
“Good. Because I ordered bagels and if you let yours get cold, I’m eating it.”
“I’ll be out in five minutes.”
“Alrighty.”
I let the cool water run over me for another minute, then I get out.
By the time I get ready the nightmare is thankfully fading.
I meet Alexis in the kitchen.
She’s leaning against the kitchen wall in an oversized sweatshirt and fluffy socks. Her curls are piled on top of her head in a messy bun. She looks effortlessly comfortable in a way I’ve always envied.
Her gaze flicks over my face and concern fills her eyes immediately.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.” I force a small smile. “Just didn’t sleep great.”
Her expression shifts slightly. “A nightmare?”
I hesitate for half a second too long.
“Piper…”
“I’m fine,” I say quickly, because I really don’t want her to worry and I don’t want to talk about Reece first thing in the morning. “It was just one of those random stress dreams.”
She studies me for another moment like she’s deciding whether to push. Thankfully, she straightens and seems to let the idea go.
“Well.” She straightens and smiles. “Today’s going to be a good day anyway. You’re about to look at your future office.”
I smile back at her. “I’m really excited. My heart is set on the one in Brooklyn.”
Alexis nods and places both hands on her heart. “I’d love that one for you too. The pictures alone looked like a Pinterest board for rich creative women with trust funds.”
“It really does.” I nod, finally starting to feel more like myself again.
