Page 85 of Lunar Diamonds
He shook his head. “I’m just exhausted. And grimy.”
We found some Tupperware, boxed up the cookies, and said goodnight outside his bedroom door.
“That was nice,” he said. “A better ending to the night than me weeping on the bathroom floor.”
I rolled my shoulders. “We should do it again.”
“I’d love that.” He yawned again. “Dammit.”
“Goodnight, Riley.”
“Goodnight, Drake.” He disappeared into his room, closing the door softly.
I’d miss him over the next hours. I never wanted the baking to end, or the talking. That’d been the longest conversation I’d had in a while, and the most details I’d shared about myself.
He doesn’t care…
Trust me to deflate my sails. I skulked over to the bed, throwing myself onto it.
He really doesn’t care…
I tried ignoring my inner voice, laying with my hands behind my head, a million miles from sleep. Another walk might help, especially outside. The cold sea air would do me good.
The catacombs map. Yes. Aaron had given me a sketchpad and pens earlier to make one for Erin.
I went to the desk by the window, settling in to draw. The rain hit the glass harder, the wind a keening howl.
A knock on my door interrupted me before I could get started.
The nib of my pen paused at the end of my first line. “Yes?”
“It’s me.”
“Riley?” I jumped up, darting for the door and flung it open.
He jumped at my “what,” hiccuping.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He wore a white bathrobe and a pair of white slippers, matching the pair in my wardrobe. He nibbled his bottom lip, his hair damp from a shower.
“Can’t sleep,” he said. “Can I hang around here? Unless I woke you up.” He sighed. “Sorry. I’ll leave you alone.”
“No. It’s fine. Come in.”
“Really?”
I stood aside to let him in.
“Thanks.”
“I’m drawing the map for Erin,” I said. “But we can talk.”
“Thanks. I didn’t want to be alone.” He released a massive yawn.
“Use the bed. Rest.”
“What about you?” Another yawn.
