“Savvy?”
She jumps back and screams, grabbing the towel and tightening it around her.
I know I shouldn’t stare, but I can’t help it. She’s so beautiful.
I hold up my hand. “Hey, it’s me.”
“What are you doing here?” she asks. “I thought you were on an assignment all week.”
All week? Not sure where she got that idea.
“My new assignment is to protect you. That’s why I’m here.”
We stare at each other for a moment. Despite only being in a towel, she doesn’t step away to get dressed, so I continue.
“You’re supposed to be at my sister’s place. Why are you here?”
“Because I wanted to be alone to think.”
“You can’t be alone. Not now.”
“Why not? Bob will never find me here!” She blows out a breath.
She’s upset I’m here, and I don’t like how that makes me feel. But I shove that down.
She glances back down the hall. “Let me get dressed, and then we can talk.”
“Sounds good.”
I spin around and walk to the kitchen. I get myself a glass of cold water. She looked amazing in that towel. All I wanted to do was strip it off of her.
No. I need to stay focused. A few minutes later, she walks in.
“Okay, let’s talk,” Savvy says.
She’s wearing pajamas and sitting on the couch. The wind howls again as another gust blows, and the lights continue to flicker. I exhale in relief when the power stays on.
I sit down on the other end of the couch. “Do you remember something else you haven’t mentioned yet?”
She frowns. “No.”
“Then what is it you wanted to think about? Alone?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that someone I thought was a friend is now trying to kill me.”
I want to hold her and let her know she’ll be safe, but that’s not what she wants right now. Instead, I can give her space. “Okay, you won’t even know I’m here.”
She stands up. “Okay then. We’ll stay in the bedrooms and not bother each other.”
I stand up, too. “Sounds good. I’ll make sure the doors are locked, and then I’ll head to bed.” I yawn because I am exhausted.
She passes me and walks down the hall to the larger bedroom. Of course, that’s the one she’s taking.
Instead of going to the bedroom, I set myself up on the couch. I need to watch the entrance. The storm is making it harder to hear. Each wind gust rattles the windows, and it sounds like someone rattling the doorknob. I need to be ready in case someone does find her here.
Outside, there is a cracking and then a thud. Then the power goes off. A tree fell down. I go to the window, butwith the rain now coming down in sheets, so I can’t see anything.
My eyes drift down the hallway. I hope she stays in the bedroom. If she comes out, I’m not sure I can stay focused. I close my eyes.
