Chapter 5

It’s after midnight when Alden finally

says we should head home. He thinks I’ve had enough to drink, but

I’m sure I could use another glass or two, because my bed is cold

and I don’t want to crawl between those sheets alone.

At my door Alden claps me on the back

and tells me to take it easy. “Want to catch a movie

tomorrow?”

I shake my head, numb. The night air

is brisk and I huddle into my collar. My cheeks are flushed and

hot, and I just want to go to sleep and wake up when Tomas gets

back. “I don’t think so.”

This time I mean it—I’m not going

anywhere tomorrow. Maybe Tomas will get some free time and I don’t

want to miss his call. “Thanks anyway.”

“No problem.” He frowns as

I fumble to get my key into the lock. “Are you going to be

okay?”

“I’ll be fine.” With a

tight smile I close the door behind me, shutting it between us and

locking him outside. For a moment I struggle with my jacket, but in

the end I just shuck it off over my head and drop it to the floor.