Page 32 of His to Save

“Sounds good.” I end the call and then check the time on my phone before sliding it back into my pocket. It’s half past ten now—almost go time.

“Nora?” I call as I tap my knuckles against the door.

She opens it immediately, stepping back to let me in. She’s still in the same clothes as before, despite her hair being wet, but I don’t comment on it. Instead, I add it to my ever-growing list of future problems to solve.

“You just about ready?”

“Yeah, I just need to get my…” She trails off, and her cheeks fill with color.

“Your what?” My interest is definitely piqued now.

Nora mumbles something at her feet, and I step deeper into the room. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s nothing to be embarrassed of.”

“My sock. It’s, um, it’s where I keep my money.”

I nod like that makes perfect sense. “Definitely better than what I used to use mine for.”

“What does that mean?” Her eyes widen and her lips form a perfect O as she gets it. “Oh, gross!”

“I’m sorry,” I say, trying to hold in my laughter. “That wasn’t very appropriate.”

“I’m not a child, you know?”

Now I’m the one looking at the floor. “Trust me, Pip, I know.”

She pads into the bathroom and comes back seconds later with her sock clutched firmly in her grasp. “Okay, good to go.”

“Let me grab your bag,” I offer, only instead of a bag, she hands me a pillowcase that’s so light I’m not entirely convinced there’s anything in it.

My expression must give my thoughts away, because Nora drops her eyes to the floor. “It’s all I had.” Shame stains her cheeks, and I immediately feel like an ass for making her feel bad.

Nora’s been to hell and back; the last thing she needs is me making her feel like anything less than the badass she is.

“You got out, Pip. That’s all that matters.”

“Yeah.” Her lips lift in a weak smile. “I guess you’re right.”

“Let’s go home.” I cross the room and throw open the door, more than ready to get the hell out of here.

“I don’t have a home, Atlas.” She trudges past me and out into the hall. “I haven’t in a long time.”

CHAPTER 11

NORA

Iwas half expecting the drive to Atlas’s house to be uncomfortable, but the second I climbed up into his behemoth of a truck and his scent wrapped around me, it was like a shot of dopamine straight to my heart.

As soon as I settled into the passenger seat, my limbs went limp and I practically melted against the butter-soft leather.

Atlas didn’t push me to talk, either, which I appreciated. He just flipped on the radio and drove.

Now we’re about a minute out, and suddenly my nerves are back in full force.

“Do you think Ellis is going to be mad?” I ask, fidgeting in my seat.

He turns down the music and glances my way over the rim of his sunglasses. “Mad about what?”

It seems like an obvious question to me. What young, single guy wouldn’t be annoyed to have some random girl crashing at their place? Especially one like me. “About me staying there…”

---