Hot Dutch Daydream by Kristy Boyce

Author:Kristy Boyce
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2023-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter

15

I barely talk to Ryland the next day. Ironically, I have Diederik and his lack of sleep to thank for that, because he’s in such a bad mood that there’s no time for flirting amid all the screaming and food throwing. Dinner with Berend and Dr. Reese is quiet, and afterward I go back to my bedroom rather than the attic. I shut my door firmly and settle onto the bed. My thoughts drift toward the top floor—wondering if Ryland’s realized I’m not coming again and whether he’ll ask about it—but I clamp down on my brain. No. He doesn’t get to take over my thoughts. I’m in charge.

After a while, my mental warfare succeeds and I get to work. It’s tedious, but I’m finally able to finish the reference list for a meta-analysis. I send an email to Katina and Dr. Reese, letting them know, and feel very proud that I finished before my deadline. Around midnight, I allow myself to get out of the bed and stretch. See, this was perfect. I was super productive all by myself. I didn’t need a couch, or tea with cream, or the sound of Ryland carving his linoleum blocks. If I can just get a little space from him, then these ridiculous feelings will fade back into nothingness.

I change into my pajamas—a loose shirt and shorts—and pad over to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Diederik is asleep in the room across from the bathroom, and Dr. Reese and Berend are just down the hall. I don’t want to wake anyone up, particularly after that rough day with Diederik.

I quickly wash my face and begin to brush my teeth. Wait, did I actually attach the file to that email? I don’t remember doing it. Sigh. Maybe I wasn’t quite as focused tonight as I thought. I hurry back to my room while I brush. It’s a little hard using the mouse and brushing my teeth at the same time without slobbering toothpaste bits onto my keyboard, but I manage it. I hurry back over to the bathroom and almost run straight into Ryland. He’s at the sink, also brushing his teeth. He smiles around his toothbrush and keeps brushing.

I take a step back into the hall and look down at myself. These are not appropriate clothes for other people to see me in. These shorts are basically glorified underwear. And I don’t have a bra on. I casually put an arm over my chest.

He keeps brushing his teeth.

I tap my foot and listen for any sounds coming from the other bedrooms. Ryland bends down to spit and I step forward to take over the sink, but then he stands back up and keeps brushing with a smile. Is he always such a thorough brusher? What is he, a secret dentist or something? All right, this is stupid, he needs to get out of the way.

Just then he bends down and spits again, before rinsing his mouth and taking a drink from the faucet.

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