Page 104 of Voices

The server comes back and starts to take the wine glass, but I reach for it first. I down the rest and choke as I swallow thesharp, bitter liquid. I grab the water glass and chug the rest, swishing it around before swallowing.

Returning to my room, I pull out my phone, seeing that it’s almost seven. I toss it on my bed and look around my room. I don’t remember why I left it in such disarray, but I suddenly can’t stand the mess. I turn on my rock mix on Spotify and get to cleaning.

Two hours later my room is spotless and smells fresh. I jump in the shower to clean off all the sweat. Grabbing my phone, I use the back stairs to leave the house. I walk past the small houses that the housekeepers live in and down the hill to a clearing with soft grass. I lay back and look up at the star-lit sky.

I trace the different shapes as I tell them how nervous I am about tomorrow, how much I wish I was more like Benji, and how I wish I was in Shane’s arms.

My phone pings in my pocket and I smile when I see who it’s from.

Blue: My bed is so cold without you in it. I know I’m the main heat source, but your cool body makes sleeping so much better.

I smile as I take a picture of the stars and send it to him.

Blue: Wow! You can see way more out there than I’ve ever seen here.

Me: I’m in the far corner of the property where there are no lights. It’s my favorite spot here.

Blue: That’s awesome that you have that spot. I know how much you like your star gazing time :)

I look back up at the stars imagining a house where I can sit outside every night and not have to worry about getting cold. I look back at my phone after it buzzes.

Blue: How long have you been outside? It’s fifty degrees and if I know you the way I think I do, youdidn’t grab a blanket and you’re in thin pants. Am I right?

Me: How do you add an eyeroll emoji?

Me: I’ve only been out here for like thirty minutes. I’m fine.

Blue: Nope. That’s too long. I’m not there to warm you up. Go back inside.

Me: When did you get so bossy?

Huffing a short laugh, I roll onto my stomach and push to my feet. When I get to my dark room, I lock my door and then climb into bed, shivering at the coolness of the sheets as it goes through my thin pants.

Blue: I’m not bossy. I’m protective of what’s mine.

Blue: Are you back inside?

Me: Yes. I’m in bed now.

He doesn’t respond but then my phone starts ringing with a video call. I hit answer and his gorgeous smiling face appears.

“Hey, beautiful.” He’s shirtless laying in his bed.

“Hi.”

“Do you have a lamp you can turn on so I can see you more clearly?”

I tap the base of the lamp spreading warm yellow light over me.

“That’s better. Now I can see my sexy man.” He grins as my cheeks heat.

“Did you get all of the food ready for tomorrow like you wanted to?”

“I did. Though I had to send Ryder to the store to get more cheese for the cheese ball because he thought it was a ‘cooking snack’ and ate half of it while I was busy at the stove. You should have seen his face after he got back almost three hours later! He didn’t realize a shit ton of people wait until the day beforeThanksgiving to get food. He was so pissed! But it made me laugh so it was worth it.”

I chuckle. “Well, hopefully he’s learned his lesson and won’t eat the food before it’s ready to be served.”

“Ha. Fat chance of that happening. That man will eat anything that’s in front of him without realizing what he’s doing.”

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