Page 34 of Vitamin Sea
She rapped again and waited.
“I can go get you another key?” Jack offered.
Chloe looked at him gratefully.
“Wait here and I’ll sort it out.”
“Thank you.” She sank down onto the linen couch and closed her eyes.
Tens of minutes later she awoke with a start to the sound of Jack’s voice.
“Hey,” he said softly.
She couldn’t believe she had fallen asleep. Her ocean experience had taken more out of her than she had thought.
A manager, a security guard, and the first aid attendant accompanied Jack. Her identity was verified with a series of questions and, after she was given a quick once over by the medic, she was let into her room. The trio left with a “thank you,” and Chloe invited Jack inside.
It was quiet in the bungalow and the door to Lala’s room was closed.
“She must still be asleep,” Chloe said in a quiet voice.
“That’s okay,” Jack said. “What’s her phone number? I’ll send her a text asking her to call me and I can explain what happened when she wakes up.”
She gave Jack Lala’s number, and he sent her a quick text.
“I’m going to head back now. I know you’re tired and I don’t want to exhaust you any further. Are you going to be okay?” he asked.
Chloe nodded. “Yes. Thank you. For everything,” she said gratefully.
“I’ll email you to see if you’re up for company tomorrow?” One of his eyebrows was raised in question.
“I’d like that,” she smiled back.
He answered her with a grin. “Okay. Sweet dreams, Chloe.”
She walked him to the door and stretched her arms out for a hug. Jack’s arms went around her and he gave her a substantive but gentle squeeze and a quick peck on the cheek.
“Bye.” She grinned with pleasure as he turned and walked away. She closed the door and turned the lock before letting out a big sigh. What a day. And it wasn’t even over. Although for her she had a feeling it would be soon. Sleep was coming for her and she couldn’t see herself waking up before tomorrow.
She contemplated running a hot bubble bath but the concerns about the scrapes on her body and drowning after falling asleepin the tub won out. She was sticky with salt water and her hair felt knotty, but that was nothing she couldn’t deal with tomorrow.
Stepping out of her clothes she pulled on a fluffy white bathrobe, closed her bedroom door, and fell into a deep sleep.
Past
Chapter 9: A Waking Nightmare
Opus—it was where they always went for special occasions. Since it was neither of their birthdays, not their anniversary, and nor were they celebrating any achievements, Chloe had a sneaking suspicion that tonight might just end with a ring on her finger.
They had passed the five-year mark two weeks ago and, while she wasn’t desperately waiting for Liam to pop the question, she knew that at some point it was coming. Sure, things hadn’t been great between them the past six months, and Liam had completely forgotten about their anniversary and bungled Chloe’s surprise, but he had made reservations this evening at their special dinner spot.
In Chloe’s mind, that could only mean one thing.
Still, she tried to temper her expectations—she didn’t want to get her hopes up and then be disappointed. If nothing else, she knew she was in for a great meal. It would make up for Liam’s massive screwup around their anniversary dinner.
She pulled a new dress out of the closet—a pretty, red mini done up in delicate lace with a high neckline and short lace sleeves. She’d grabbed it from one of the racks at the office. It was a Prabal Gurung piece that was going to be used in an editorial they were shooting next week.
Not that she was in the habit of taking clothing from work. All of them had done it on at least one occasion—sneaking out with an item and then returning it a few days later with the dry-cleaning tags taken off.
