Page 30 of Take the Wheel

Nancy gave her a deadpan look. ‘Just go to sleep, Ari.’

Ari settled back against the pillows, pulling the covers up as Nancy shut the lamp off. The room was dim, the weight of the day pressing down on her.

Beside her, Nancy shifted slightly, getting comfortable. A beat of silence passed before she said, almost absently, ‘You have to leave it alone.’

Ari was jolted. ‘What?’

‘The necklace.’

‘Oh,’ Ari said relieved.

‘What did you think I meant?’ Nancy asked quickly.

‘Yeah, the necklace. Of course.’

No one said another word, for which Ari was very grateful.

Soon enough, the warmth of the covers, the soft scent of fresh linen, and the steady presence of Nancy beside her lulled Ari into an easy, dreamless sleep.

Twenty-Three

Nancy woke slowly, the hazy weight of sleep still clinging to her limbs. The room was dim, only the faintest hint of morning light creeping in through the heavy curtains. For a moment, she didn’t register anything unusual. Just the luxurious softness of the bed, the quiet stillness of the room.

And then she felt it.

A warm weight draped over her waist. The soft, steady breath against the back of her neck. The unmistakable press of another body close to hers.

Nancy froze.

Ari.

Somehow, at some point in the night, they had shifted. Nancy was on her side, and Ari had ended up half-curled around her, one arm slung loosely over her waist, their legs tangled beneath the sheets. The warmth of Ari’s body seeped through the fabric of their sleepwear, her breath sending the smallest shiver down Nancy’s spine.

She should move. She knew she should move.

Ari stirred slightly, nuzzling into the pillow. Then, her breathing changed. Her body tightened. Nancy didn’t need to turn to know Ari was now fully awake.

A long, charged silence stretched between them.

‘Well,’ Ari said.

Nancy cleared her throat, determined to keep her tone neutral. ‘Yes. Well.’

Another beat of silence. Then, Ari shifted enough to pull her arm back, just enough to give them both space. They rolled away from each other.

‘Sorry,’ Ari said. ‘I didn’t realise…’

‘It’s fine,’ Nancy said, trying not to sound as intensely nervous as she felt.

Before either of them could say more, a sharp knock rattled the door.

‘Ari!’ Paris’s voice was urgent, muffled through the heavy wood. ‘Are you awake? I need you! It’s a disaster!’

Nancy exhaled, half in relief, half in irritation. Ari groaned into her pillow. ‘Oh, for fuck’s sake.’

The knocking persisted. ‘Ari! Open up! I need your help!’

Ari threw the covers off and sat up, running a hand through her tousled hair. ‘Give me one minute, Paris!’ she called, voice hoarse from sleep.

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