Page 62 of Examining the Bond

“When are you planning to fly back to Georgia?” she asks casually, even though it feels more loaded than the fries I’m battling with.

Never.

My heart argues with my head, begging me to say that I have no intention of going home. I want to stay here with her, as fucking crazy as that sounds, but I have to get back to the academy and give them my test results.

I have a life at home waiting for me, even if the only life I can think about right now is one that involves Skylar.

“Um…” I let my gaze stray because I really don’t want to answer. “I have to check flight schedules and see what's available but probably the day after tomorrow.”

Shit.That sounds so soon, but I know it’s inevitable. I can’t stay at the hotel indefinitely; even if they keep running tests on me at the clinic, I don’t have any money left. I won’t be able to go anywhere or buy anything, and I’m certainly not asking Skylar if I can stay with her.

I’m not completely insane.

“Do you want to see me again before you leave?” she asks, popping a piece of steak into her mouth.

What kind of fucking question is that?

“Of course.” I nod. “As long as it won’t get you in trouble.”

“Let me worry about that.” She sips her glass. “I’m off tomorrow; I was thinking about staying the night again. That is, if you want me to.”

Heat burns up my face, lighting my cheeks on fire. The thought of having Skylar all to myself, alone in my room, does twisted, delicious things to me, and my thoughts spiral into the gutter.

“Definitely,” I say, hating how eager I sound, but I can’t help it. I’m not missing out on a chance to spend more time with her. Whether she wants to cuddle with me and talk all night or fuck me until I can’t feel my legs, I’ll take whatever she gives me.

Besides, when we’re completely alone, maybe I’ll be able to ask her what she thinks of making things official. What she thinks of me staying with her in Boston.

What she thinks of marking me and making me her omega.

“Are you sure? The bed’s not very comfortable; you probably figured that out the other night.” I chuckle awkwardly as I sip on my milkshake, licking at the whipped cream on top.

“That’s okay,” she assures me with a wicked smirk. “I don’t really plan on sleeping.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

RIANN

I pace back and forth across the hotel room in nothing but an oversized T-shirt and a pair of shorts. From the bathroom to the far wall, I’ve walked the length of the space at least a hundred times, nerves eating through me with every minute that passes.

Checking the time on my phone yet again, I groan with impatience. It’s almost seven o’clock. Skylar said she was leaving her house an hour ago and, even though I don’t know where she lives, I feel like she should have been here by now.

I don’t know how much longer I can wait before I shatter apart from anticipation.

After filling Ziel in on everything I’ve failed to update him on—from my exam room romp to my unbelievable test results that had him whooping and hollering in my ear—I broke down and looked up flights to Georgia.

I thought about extending my stay, at least a few more days. Since the ticket is already paid for, it doesn’t technically matter when I choose to redeem it as long as there’s a flight available. But I need to get back to the academy. I’ve already missed a week of work; two weeks would be asking too much.

Not to mention, I’m already on thin ice. I don’t want to push my luck.

The only flight that puts me back in Woodside at a decent time is tomorrow afternoon.It isn’t ideal, but leaving is inevitable. Whether it’s two days or two weeks from now, I know I won’t want to go home. In fact, the academy feels less like home than it ever has.

That’s probably why I gave up trying to repack my duffel bag, leaving it gaping open on the floor with my clothes strewn around it. Every time I zip up the bag, it feels completely wrong. Like someone has gone into my nest and rearranged everything.

They’re all my things, but they aren’t in the right place, and no amount of repacking will fix that. They don’t belong balled up inside a bag or in this room. They don’t even belong in my nest at the academy.

They belong somewhere else, wherever Skylar is.

I pause and stare at the mess all over the floor, my insides twisting in knots as I realize why it’s been so impossible to put everything in the bag.