After Hours by Anina Collins

Author:Anina Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Eight Feathers Press, LLC
Published: 2016-05-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Grey skies greeted me when I awoke, a truly symbolic continuation of the night before as far as I was concerned. By the time I came out of the stockroom at McGuire’s, Alex and Bethany were gone, but he’d left me a note saying he’d see me at eight at The Grounds like always and he hoped I was feeling better soon. On the bottom, right before his name, he wrote, “If you need anything, call me.”

I could have been on fire and I wouldn’t have called him. Who wants to be the person to interrupt a date or…

Rolling over, I buried my head in the pillow and told myself I didn’t want to think about what else I might be interrupting. Better to remain as ignorant as possible in situations like this. I wasn’t sure it was bliss, but it sure as hell was better than knowing what happened between him and Bethany after they left the bar.

My alarm did its morning job, and when I grabbed the phone to turn it off, I saw a message from him. He’d sent it at right after one in the morning.

Hope you’re feeling better. Let me know if you can’t make it to breakfast and I’ll deliver.

So he was up and likely alone at one. Interesting. Maybe she left early or maybe they didn’t do anything after leaving McGuire’s. Or maybe…

Enough with the maybes, Poppy! Stop thinking about this! You’re obsessing, sister, and that’s never good. They’re together now. Accept it. Put on your big girl panties and deal with it. Alex is with Bethany. It’s time to buck up and move on.

After I’d given myself the pep talk I would have done for any of my friends in the same position, I texted Alex to let him know I wasn’t at death’s doorstep just yet. Part of me felt guilty for letting him think I was truly sick and not just miserable, but then again, he was the reason I felt miserable, so there it was.

I’ll be at The Grounds at eight. See you there!

My text sounded far more chipper than I actually felt, but maybe by the time I got there and downed some caffeine I’d start to come around to some happiness again. If only I could find the strength or ambition to get out of bed.

The phone vibrated against my nightstand, and I looked over to see a text from him. Swiping the screen, I saw his message and smiled.

Good. I was worried about you last night. We have work to do on this case and I need you at your best. See you in a few.

Why did he have to be like that? What couldn’t he be gruff and unfeeling? Then I’d be able to tell myself he wasn’t someone I should care about anyway, but this guy was exactly the type of man women wanted.

Smart, sexy, sweet.

I covered my eyes with my arm and willed away all those thoughts of how wonderful Alex was.

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