You Watched in Silence by H. Lee Justine

Author:H. Lee Justine [Justine, H. Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Chapter Eighteen

It’s not my alarm that wakes me, but the rising sun. Gentle at first, greeting me in bands of pink and purple, before it turns suddenly harsh, ripping my blankets off me like my mom when I was late for church. Too harsh for the Pacific Northwest. Sun like that doesn’t belong here.

And I don’t belong here, either, with my head nuzzled into Hannah’s shoulder, our jackets draped over us with the large blanket she brought underneath. We didn’t talk about sleeping out here, it just kind of . . . happened. Among other things.

I pull my body from hers because in the cold light of day, Poseidon’s judgment is a lot harsher, as is my own. I can practically feel his ocean eyes boring into me, leaking with hatred.

No, actually, that isn’t the God of the sea watching me, but someone else entirely. I glance into the woods to my right, to my left, feeling so sure that someone is there. Do they hate that I’m here?

Mumbles from Hannah, who stirs next me. “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing.” Somehow both a lie and the truth. “How’d you sleep?”

She pulls herself up to a sitting position, hands folded over her knees. “Surprisingly good for being sober on a cold beach. You?”

“Better than normal. But I better get back to Bella’s place. The kids will be up soon, I’m sure.”

“No worries, I’ll walk you.” Hannah forces her body up before it’s ready, and it seems to protest via ungainly motions.

“That’s okay. I don’t really want to broadcast that we spent the entire night together.”

“Embarrassed of me?” Her smile is teasing only to hide the insecurity dancing along her irises. I see the question behind the question.

“Never. But being with you feels private.” No, it feels sacred, but I don’t want to come on too strong.

This must satisfy her, because the apprehensive dancers in her eyes take a bow. “Not a problem. You head back now, then, so we aren’t seen walking that way together.” Hannah leans in, gives me a kiss on the cheek, like she’s done this every morning for the past five years. “See you later.”

“Yeah, see you.” I don’t return the kiss.

I came here to be Bella Greene’s nanny, but now I’m more excited to see Hannah at lunch and dinner than I am to make a connection with Bella. I knew this would happen, feared it would, wanted so badly to prevent it. But now that it’s happened . . . I don’t know. Would it really be so bad if my obsession with Bella waned a bit?

Yes, a voice in the back of my head says. It would be bad. So very bad.

Because focusing on Bella is safe. Being consumed by Hannah isn’t. In fact, it’s the most dangerous thing I could do.

And I haven’t gotten all the answers to the questions I’m seeking. On the walk back, I pull out my phone, see if that person from the group chat answered my DM. They didn’t.

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