Page 145 of Sweet Nightmare

Because when I read them, I know something beautiful exists. Even if it isn’t real.

My pen stills.

Why did he say that?

And why can’t I stop thinking about it?

I look back at my notes, but the words have already blurred together.

This is precisely why I don’t enjoy getting to know people. The more information you collect about someone, the more difficult it becomes to separate the insignificant details from the ones that somehow begin to matter.

I lean back against the headboard and look toward the windows. Snow continues drifting past the glass, illuminated by the soft exterior lights around the estate. Somewhere beyond those windows is the garden, the frozen fountain, the library, and the rest of Winter Storm Estate.

And somewhere on the opposite side of the mansion is its owner.

Ugh. Why do I even care?

This is becoming a problem.

A very inconvenient problem.

Determined to stop thinking about him, I accept that sleep isn’t coming anytime soon. Maybe a walk will clear my head or at least tire me out enough to sleep.

I pull on a white cashmere sweater and step into the hallway. Moonlight spills through the towering windows, illuminating everything in silver.

This place looks gorgeous in the day light but my God does it look like something straight out of a dream at nighttime.

When I’m close to the end of the hallway, I turn another corner and that’s when I hear it.

A strangling sound.

“What…” I whisper, trying to locate the sound.

Then it comes again.

A shout.

I stop walking.

Another follows, muffled by the walls but raw enough to make my stomach tighten.

Something about it feels wrong.

I should turn back. Instead, I stand still, waiting.

When the voice comes again, I recognize it.

A man.

Without thinking, I follow the voice. The closer I get, the more desperate it sounds.

Someone is having a nightmare and a really bad one.

Only four of us are staying here. Maybe it’s….him.

The thought makes me feel sad.

So, I hurry my steps down the hallway and sure enough, the sound leads me toward the opposite wing and a pair of enormous black double doors.