Page 1 of Never Sleep with the Enemy

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KATRINA

The only thing that’s ever made sense to me is music.

The timing. The structure. The way it flows, both on the page and off. An E sounds like an E every time. It just makes sense.

Unlike people. Unlike thoughts and feelings. Moments that mean everything to you might mean nothing to someone else. Words spoken from a tight throat slip in one ear and out the other. To some, a kiss is a gateway. A spark that ignites a thousand emotions, infinite heartbeats. Love and marriage and happily ever after.

To another, a kiss is just a kiss.

It shouldn’t be like that.

But it is.

The elevator opens to an empty hallway, and I hesitate, the golden box swaying slightly beneath my feet. The shift sends a head rush through me, a slow, woozy ripple. I press a hand to the wall, blinking against it.

Is this the wrong floor?

This is the wrong floor.

Groaning, I step back and fish my room key from my pocket, squinting at the number.

Yep. We’re on 23 this time. Not 25, like usual.

We got shuffled around because of the wedding.

Jonah’s wedding.

My stomach clenches as I jab the button for 23. The doors whisper shut, and I lean against the mirrored wall, breathing through the slow churn of wine in my belly. It’s a restless, queasy feeling one can only describe as…ick.

When the doors part again, I step out, focused on one goal: get to my room before someone comes looking. I said I’d only be gone a minute, but the truth is, I couldn’t stand to be there any longer.

At Marla’s bachelorette party.

She’s my friend. She’s Jonah’s chosen.

I’m happy for them.

I’m happy for them.

I’m totally happy for them.

That doesn’t mean I understand it.

“Hey, Kat. You okay?”

My ears prick at the sound of his voice.

Jonah Botsford. Cool and confident, always.

He stands a few feet away, one hand hovering near the doorknob of his suite two doors down from mine.

“Katrina?”

“Yup.” I snap to attention. “I am okays.”

Jonah chuckles. “You sure?”

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