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I hold her until morning.
Then, I get to work.
CHAPTER 41
PAIGE
I wake up with my cellphone alarm. 5 AM. Time to run.
I drop the phone back onto the bedside table. I’m wide awake, naturally. 5 AM is my usual rousing time, but this morning feels... heavy. Different.
I roll over, silently slinking back beneath Oliver’s limp arm. He stirs slightly. His arm curls around me, but he doesn’t wake up. I cling to him, to his clothes still on from last night. I replay the previous night repeatedly in my head, each brittle moment seared into the back of my eyelids. One moment, I feel weak and stupid. The next, I’m relieved and loved.
I drift back to sleep.
When I awaken again, Oliver is gone.
I sit up, drawn to noises across the suite. Oliver adjusts his appearance in front of the bathroom mirror. His shirt is wrinkled in a few spots. His pants, too. At least he didn’t sleep in his jacket.
He flicks the light off and turns in my direction, but it takes a moment or two for him to realize I’ve been watching him.
Then he smiles. Warm and sweet. “Hey,” he greets.
“Hi.” I clear my dry throat. “Good morning.”
“Good morning. It’s almost eight.”
“Yeah, I...” I glance at the bright green letters on the bedside clock. “I didn’t feel like going for a run this morning.”
“One morning off won’t hurt,” he says. “In fact, go on and sleep a bit longer. I can finish up downstairs myself.”
I pivot to place my feet on the floor. “No, I’ll get up.”
Oliver sits down on the bed beside me.
I look at him, offering a weak smile. “Oli, I’m sorry about last night...”
He takes my hand. “Don’t be.”
“I shouldn’t have unloaded on you like that. My problems are my problems.”
Oliver shifts to face me, his expression more amused than annoyed. “Paige...”
“Yeah?”
“Shut up.” He kisses the back of my hand. “Now, you can rest more if you want. If not, meet me in the lobby and we’ll close out Denver together.”
I nod, grateful. “Okay.”
Oliver smiles, his fingers entwining with mine. “Let’s go red today,” he says.
“But you like blue.”
“And you like red. Plus, it looks incredible on you.” He leans forward to kiss my forehead before standing, but he keeps a firm hold on my hand. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
“Be down soon.” I glide my thumb along his fingers. “Thank you, Oli,” I whisper.
Oliver gives me a delicate kiss and smiles as he pushes a few unruly strands of my hair behind my ear. His hand falls away, but a few sparks remain in my fingers as he rises and walks toward the door.
