Page 179 of The Baby Bargain
I nodsure.
She disappears into the crowd.
My attention turns to the music. A cloying remix ofThriller.
It fills my ears.
But it doesn't fill my head.
I finish my drink. Make conversation with a friend from high school. Say hello to couples from Inked Hearts.
Finally, I slip away from the conversation. Move up the stairs. Down the hallway.
To Ariel's room.
She's sitting on her bed, arms folded over her chest, gaze on the window.
It's a dark, cold night. With the curtains down, the blue-black sky blankets the room. The sky never gets black here. Even blocks from the beach, there's too much light pollution.
I press the door closed.
She stands. Drops her arms. Stares into my eyes. "Chase."
"Are you okay?"
Her teeth sink into her lip. "No, I… I don't know if we should talk like this."
Maybe. But I can't bring myself to leave. "What happened?"
"Nothing."
No, something.
There aren't any clues in her room. Same teal and turquoise walls. Same purple bedspread. Same stack of text books.
She takes a step toward me. "You do look ridiculous."
"So does Matt."
Her fingers curl into my chest. "It suits you."
"The ridiculous part?"
She nods. "And the violence."
"Mommy issues."
She laughs. "Martyr complex."
"I didn't forget."
She brings her hand to my head. Pushes my mask off.
Her fingers skim my temples.
My heart thuds against my chest.
It's not like our quick fucks. I feel her everywhere. I'm warm everything.
