Page 40 of Mad Love

I laugh. “I used to do the same with Roman when I lived with him, but it wasn’t to get him to visit me. It was to get him to stop being a class-5 clinger.”

He raises a brow. “Class-5 clinger?”

“Yes, you know, the worst kind. They follow you everywhere, bathroom included. I told him enough was enough unless he wanted to watch me ‘handle’ a tampon. That stopped him.” I reach for my mug, and cupping it with both hands, I sip my tea. “Mmm, chamomile and hibiscus.”

“My sister’s favorite.”

“She has yummy taste.”

We sip our teas in silence and stare at the view. The silence is comfortable. The satin on my skin is cool. The warmth of the tea, soothing.

“I’m sorry to have woken you. I didn’t think I made that much noise.”

“You didn’t. I don’t sleep well either.”

“Nightmares?”

“Nah. Too much on my mind.”

“Like what?” I ask.

The city lights twinkle, this mix of red, white, and yellow lights.

“Business.”

“Does business keep you up a lot?”

“Too much, unfortunately.”

I didn’t share with my family what my kidnapper did, yet they love me and continue to though I pushed them away those first few months after I was rescued. I’m grateful my family gave me the gift of time and patience rather than give up on me. I can offer the same courtesy to Maddox.

“What kinds of things, if you don’t mind me asking?”

I glance sidelong at him, having this insane urge to reach out and pat his arm. To reassure him that I’m here if he wants to talk, but if he’s okay with not sharing, I’m fine with that too.

“Contracts. Meetings. Politics. There are days my brain is ready to implode.”

“I imagine there are a lot of moving pieces in the day and life of a real estate developer. And one who is in demand as you are.”

“Delved into my life some, Blaise?”

“I know as much as the public does.”

“The tabloids?”

“And the business journals Roman makes me read.”

“He’s prepping you to help with the family’s business.”

“The nightlife of the Bay Area doesn’t interest me.” I set my mug down on the heart-shaped coaster, and bringing my leg up and onto the chair, I hug my knee to my chest.

“The nightlife would befit an insomniac such as yourself.”

“How—”

“I overheard one of your guys at your grandfather’s party.”

“You were eavesdropping?”

---