Chapter 99

CORBIN

Sunlight stretched across the hardwood floors to the open windows, and I stood from the couch. Hazel had fallen asleep in my arms again. I’d never actually slept beside a woman before, but as I tucked her head on my neck and lay my chin on top of it, I fell into the most blissful, restful sleep I’d ever experienced.

It was hot having her so close. The tiny couch forced me to hold on to her with all my might so one of us didn’t fall off, but it was perfect. So wonderful. I never wanted to leave, but unfortunately a few hours later, she twisted in her sleep and woke us both.

The readout on the machine said ninety-two percent complete. We barely made eleven percent in the three hours we’d slept. I waited, staring at the screen, wishing for the bar to move faster. My shoulders relaxed when it clicked over to ninety-three percent.