Page 61 of In Somnis

“The muffins,” he explains with a grin. “I don’t think he ate them, but for the record, they were amazing.”

“Oh. Right.” Heat floods my face so fast it’s embarrassing. “Sorry. It’s early.”

His dark eyes glance over me curiously, and my brain short-circuits so hard, I actually take a step back.

The resemblance.

Tall, dark hair, his jaw dark with stubble, and the set of his shoulders.

My mouth goes dry.

They’re not identical, but it’s close enough to unsettle me. Derek’s curls are cropped where dream-Ridge’s straight hair is dragged back into a careless half bun, and Derek is all warmth where dream-Ridge felt like something you probably shouldn’t touch.

Even if Ridge felt… darker. Not evil, just intense, which somehow made him way hotter.

Nope.

I avert my eyes and take a step away from the door, needing space from my own brain.

We are absolutely not thinking about the man who just invaded my privacy like that.

At least this is more proof that I’m not crazy. It was that Ridge, Derek’s cousin.

Derek clears his throat. “Did you have time to grab a bedframe yet? I can lend you my car if you⁠—”

“No,” I blurt, then wince. “I mean, not yet, but I’m good. Thank you.”

“Okaaay.” He chuckles. “I’ve got to get this one to kindergarten.”

Melanie waves at me enthusiastically. “Bye!”

“Bye,” I manage, waving back as they continue down the stairs together.

I turn back to Ridge’s door, my heart doing something unhelpful in my chest. Do I try again? Should I ring the doorbell? My gaze drops to the small plaque beside it.

Ridge Wells.

Wells.

Could he be that Wells?

Please no.

Please yes.

I don’t know which one I mean.

My pulse ticks louder in my ears as I stare at the plaque.

Is Ridge the reason Tessa tried to escape reality? Is that why she slipped so deeply into dreams she couldn’t find her way back?

Is Ridge the reason I lost my best friend?

This is too much, too fast. Dream. Name. Door.

I have no bandwidth for this.

Suddenly, I’m glad he hasn’t answered. Because if it’s him, if it’s really Tessa’s Wells, I have no idea if it’s a good thing that I found him, or if I should stay the hell away from him.