Page 84 of Freefall

The woman in question has her arms crossed against her chest now, one hip popped as her eyes drift around the room, no doubt taking in the boxes filled with various erotic toys. “What the hell are you doing, anyway? It looks like a sex dungeon is having a going-out-of-business sale.”

I grab the packing tape and slide it across the box I brought down. “Just donating a few things I don’t need anymore.”

She grimaces. “Gross.”

“You asked.”

“Who the hell wants your old sex toys, Nate?”

I sigh. “Not that it’s any of your business, but they’re fully sanitized, and I’m donating them to the club.”

I’m also giving away all the extra clothes and toiletries I used to keep in my house for overnight guests. It’s not even a question. After sleeping with Harper again, I can’t imagine wanting to be with anyone else. Not for a long time, anyway.

“The club?” Allie balks.

I run a hand over my face. “Do you have a purpose in being here?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” She points toward the stairs. “Go change, Caldwell. We’re going for a run.”

“You want to go for a run?”

She arches an eyebrow. “What are you trying to insinuate? That I’m not athletic?” She looks down. “Why else would I be dressed this way?”

I almost smile. “I seem to remember having to drag you on runs with me last year when you were on a self-sabotage tour of the state.”

“Exactly.” She points a manicured finger at me. “I’m returning the favor. You know what they say? Payback’s a bitch.”

Is it? Or is it a tiny brunette chef in a crop top and running sneakers?

“Move your ass, Caldwell,” she orders.

I sigh once again and head up to my room to change. I would never admit this to her, but if there’s one person in this world who can tell me what to do, it’s Allie Montgomery. She’s scary as fuck when she doesn’t get her way.

We run in silence for the first half a mile, nothing but the brush of the cool morning air against our faces and the burn building in our lungs.

“So.” She finally breaks the silence, her breathing noticeably heavier than mine.

“So?” I echo.

“I met Harper.”

“Yeah, you mentioned that.”

I keep my pace steady even though my body is screaming at me to speed up, if only to outrun whatever she’s about to say next.

“She has an eight-year-old daughter,” Allie continues, adjusting her ponytail as it bounces against her back. “Who you babysat last night.”

“Are you just stating random facts?”

She laughs to herself like she’s the only one in on the joke. “No, that’s not right.” She shakes her head. “It’s not babysitting when it’s your own kid.”

I glance over. Her cheeks are flushed bright red, sweat beading along her hairline despite the crisp fall air.

“Do you have a question?” I ask, “Or are you going to keep making assumptions?”

Her smile fades. “She’s the one, isn’t she?”

There’s no point in pretending anymore, so I nod.