Page 44 of A Midnight Romance
“What’s the story?”
My stomach clenches at the thought. The justice I plan to give myself—is nothing like what I’ve ever done before and certainly not something I’ll be sharing with Stevie.
“You know I try not to plot too much.” I reach for two wine glasses on the top shelf in the cupboard. “Wine?”
“I would never say no to wine.”
“Chardonnay okay?” I grab the chilled bottle from the refrigerator.
“Works for me. How’s your deadline?”
“Not doing well.” I try to sound nonchalant, but I’m feeling anything but. “‘I’m finding it challenging to write the proper ending on this one. “
“Yeah, I bet. You could always write in a detective like Dad. You know he becomes obsessed with a case until it’s solved. That could be a quick way to wrap up the story.”
“Not every case gets the justice it deserves,” I quip. “Even Dad’s cases.”
She shrugs her shoulders. “Well, you’re able to do it through fiction at least.”
It’s no longer fiction for me.
I make my way back into the living room and hand her a glass of white wine before returning to my seat. “That’s true.”
Stevie and I spend the rest of the evening finishing the bottle of wine while watching rom-coms and devouring a large veggie pizza before she retires to my bed for the rest of the night. Now that she’s fast asleep I find myself downstairs, watching the clock until it reaches midnight.
Even though River has been parked outside my house all week, he hasn’t attempted to communicate. It’s 11:58 p.m., and my heart is in my throat anticipating his arrival, because tonight has to be the night we discuss next steps for Rich. My legs bounce endlessly because I sensewe’re running out of time to find out where Rich is going. Frustrated with having to wait for him to show up at my house, I don’t like the feeling of not having some level of control in this agreement.
I glance down at my watch—12 a.m.—when a dark figure appears at my sliding door. The movement is steady and fluid behind the curtain, and although I’m aware it’s him, that doesn’t stop a bolt of fear from shooting up my back.
Unknown: I’m at your back door.
I know.
I wait a brief moment to not seem too eager before heading to the back door.
“Hi,” I say when I slide it open, a cool breeze swooping over my cheeks.
My eyes roam over him, remembering the dream I had. Heat creeps up my neck, moving to my cheeks which are on fire. Before he can see my reaction to him, I suck in a deep breath and try to fix my face.
Wait. He’s not wearing a mask.
“Lux.” My name rolls off his tongue and it doesn’t help keep the dirty thoughts at bay. His eyes scan the room, before landing on the two empty wine glasses by the sink.
“Am I interrupting?” he states, slightly accusatory.
Do I sense jealousy in his tone?
“My sister needed some girl time. She’s asleep upstairs,” I explain. “Do you want to come in?”
“Sure,” he says, brushing against me as he steps inside. Leather and ivory scents float into my nostrils and my eyelids fall closed. My body leans into him, craving to bathe in it.
Get it together, Lux.
I shut the door behind him, intently watching him move through my space. River heads over to the living room, casually taking a seat on the same couch with leaving some space between us.
“Any news?” I sit across from him, trying to play it casual, like I didn’t melt into myself a second ago.
River leans back, bending one leg on top of the other. “My contact has a lead on where Rich’s location might be.”
