Page 52 of 28 Dates

In the bathroom, I quickly clean up and brush my teeth, gasping when I catch myself in the mirror. My hair is a rat’s nest. More Medusa scary than curly and cute. Clipping it back, I wash my face and then pop some ibuprofen. I’m feeling almost human by the time I get back to my bedroom, and blink several times at the sight in front of me as well as the scent.

Someone has brought coffee to my room. Steam wafts from the white mug on my dresser, and next to it is a bagel slathered with cream cheese.

He’s here?

I make quick work of finding a pair of pajama pants in my drawers and pull them on along with a clean shirt. If Jonas wants his back, I should give it to him.

But still my heart flutters as I take my first sip of coffee. He’s not only stayed but made me breakfast? Where did he sleep?

The couch, you moron.

Makes sense. I grab my plate and coffee cup and hurry as fast as my still shaking and alcohol-withdrawing legs can move me.

On the couch, a blanket is rumpled and tossed over the back along with two pillows from my hall closet. My steps quicken.

I reach the kitchen and pull to an abrupt stop.

It’s not Jonas standing in my kitchen with his back to me. Off to the side is a plate of bacon and eggs, still fresh and hot, based on the fact Trey is rinsing dishes and loading them into the dishwasher.

The fluttering in my heart disappears and drops like a brick to my feet.

“Hey,” Trey says as he closes the dishwasher, realizing I’m in the room. “You feeling okay? Heard you had a rough night.”

The coffee mug in my hand shakes. “Jonas called you?”

He chews on the side of his cheek before nodding. “Came and got me last night when he left. He didn’t have a key to lock up and wanted me to know what was going on so I could make sure you were okay.”

It was nice of him. It still hurts to know he didn’t wait to take off. I’m not even sure I’ll be able to show my face around him again at this point.

One great night of drinks together in months, and everything feels ruined between us.

We don’t have the benefits anymore. I’m not sure we have a friendship, either, and I have no one to blame but myself.

I hold up my mug of coffee. “I’ve felt better, but thanks for this.”

He inspects me, and I can feel his gaze on me as I put my back to him and head toward the coffeepot. I need massive amounts of caffeine to kick this headache.

“Thanks for doing the dishes, too,” I tell Trey once I’ve filled my cup and taken another hearty gulp. “That was nice.”

“Your breakfast should still be warm. I didn’t want to wake you but figured if you woke after I headed back up to my place, you could warm it. You okay? And I don’t mean your hangover.”

I’ve never felt more unsettled in my life. I’ve never before felt the heaviness that comes with regret and fear of missed opportunities.

Still, I nod and grab a slice of bacon. “I’ll be fine.”

“Want the day off? I need to go shower and clean up, but we can put work off today if you need to.”

“No.” The distraction would serve me well. “Give me an hour and I’ll be ready. I’ll come to you.”

He heads to me and kisses my cheek, throws his arm around my shoulders, and tugs me to him. “Take care of yourself, Caty-bug. Call me if you don’t feel up to it.”

He leaves, and I frown. What in the heck did Jonas say to him to make him so worried about me? It’s not like he hasn’t seen me hungover before, or hell, not that we haven’t moaned over mutual hangovers together. Granted, they don’t come often, but there’s something different in his expression, a deeper concern than one night of recklessness.

Whatever. He’s probably thinking of the next project he’s starting, and the heavy look on his face has nothing to do with me.

—

I’m sitting on my couch, feet tucked under me. I have another thirty minutes before I have to get to Trey’s place to start work, and more than once I’ve debated texting him to let him know I’m calling off work. A day ofVampire Diariesand Lifetime movies is almost too tempting to resist. While I’m feeling better, my headache now a dull thump I can ignore, it’s the messages on this stupid life-altering dating app that have grabbed my attention and caused me to lose all desire to work.

---