AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Share me with anyone. I forced a smile and checked my phone once more.
Still nothing…from the man he was sharing me with.
***
I’d just climbed into bed when my phone buzzed from the nightstand.Owenflashed on my screen. My pulse sped up, and I flicked the bedside lamp back on.
Owen: Is he staying the night?
My heart ached. That’s what he’d been thinking all day? That Robert was still here and going to spend the night? God, I sucked. I hadn’t texted him again because I was trying to give him space. But I’d made things worse.
Devyn: No, he’s gone. He went back to Rome. He had to get back to the set.
I waited on pins and needles while Owen typed back. It seemed to take forever, or at least it felt that way.
Owen: Can we talk? I can come up, or you can come down here. But I know the kids are probably sleeping.
I pulled back the blanket, already climbing out of bed.
Devyn: It’s fine. Come up.
Owen: I’ll be there in five.
I’d taken a hot shower earlier, trying to unknot the ball of tension in my neck. But I’d been too lazy to wash my hair, even though it had gotten wet. One glance at the mirror and I regretted not even brushing it out. If my complicated life didn’t scare Owen away, this look might seal the deal. I spent five minutes trying to clean myself up, but I needed more like five hours. Or maybe five days.
Owen knocked lightly. I swung the door open before he had a chance to lower his arm.
“Hey.” I smiled.
Owen’s face was grim. He nodded. “I’m sorry to bother you so late.”
“It’s fine.” I stepped aside. “I’m glad you did. Come in.”
Two steps in the door, he stopped short. I had to follow his line of sight to figure out what was wrong.
The gifts.
Shit. They were piled up on the floor, higher than the coffee table. I still hadn’t opened a single one.
“Sorry,” I said. “Robert brought them. I didn’t feel up to opening any.”
Owen took a deep breath and gestured in the other direction. “Kitchen?”
I forced a smile. “Sure.”
Unfortunately, I’d forgotten about the flowers, too—the dozens that were impossible to miss. Owen’s eyes snagged on them immediately. The face he made could only be described as defeated.
“I’m sorry,” I said. Picking up the wastebasket, I looked around, then opened the cabinet under the sink and tucked them inside.
Owen smiled sadly. “You didn’t have to do that. But thanks.”
“Do you want something to drink? A glass of wine, maybe?”
“No, thank you.”
We sat down at the kitchen table across from each other.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
