Page 33 of Double Booked

“Do you really want to know what I think?”

She met his gaze. “Yes.”

“I think this is the equivalent of drunk dialing. Not that he doesn’t miss you, but he’s probably experiencing a moment of regret.”

She looked at him blankly, not sure what to make of it.

“See, this is why I didn’t want to say anything. You’re upset.”

She shook her head. “You’re probably right. Maybe Vanessa wasn’t available tonight, and he’s feeling lonely. Maybe he’s out with his friends and feeling sorry for himself. Maybe he meant to send her the text instead of me.”

He reached out and placed his hand on her arm. “Stop doing this to yourself. You’re spiraling.”

He was right. Her head was literally spinning. “I think I need to lie down.”

“Good idea.” He withdrew his hand.

She started to stand and wobbled. Gripping the edge of the counter, she waited for the wave of dizziness to pass.

He stood and hovered nearby. “Let me help you to your room.”

First, she fell on their hike and now this. He must think she was a disaster!

He picked up her water glass. “Lean on me if you need to,” he said as they moved toward her bedroom.

She made it inside without incident, but she was still embarrassed.

“Lay down and I’ll get the ibuprofen,” he said, brooking no argument.

She didn’t have the energy to argue. Still feeling warm, she lay on top of the covers. A moment later, he returned with the pill bottle and water, and handed them to her. After she’d swallowed some pills, he set the glass and bottle on the bedside table. “In case you need more during the night.”

She mustered a smile. “Thank you.”

“Do you need anything else before I go?”

A hug would be nice. What? Where did that come from? “No, I’m good.”

“If you do, just yell. My room is right above yours, and I’ll be able to hear you through the vent.”

Her eyes widened. “You can hear me from up there?”

He chuckled. “Not clearly. Just muffled noises sometimes.”

She frowned. “What kind of noises?”

“The standard sleep noises.”

“Like snoring?”

He smirked. “Maybe, a little.”

“Ohmigod! How mortifying.”

“Do you ever hear me?”

“I’ve heard footsteps and the bed creaking.”

His eyes widened that time. “I flop around a lot in my sleep.”