Page 77 of Ink Me Three Times
I pass him and grab a mug of my own.
"Fine. Me and the guys went to The Hollow after work."
I nod as I pour a drink. "Fun?"
Jesse gives a short, noncommittal grunt, then looks down at his coffee again, fiddling with the edge of the mug. He doesn’t meet my eyes, but I can tell he’s waiting for me to break the silence, to spill something.
I shift uncomfortably, my own mind racing. The air is thick between us, like there’s something unspoken hanging over us, but neither of us is willing to put words to it.
It’sneverlike this with Jesse. I hate it.
"You stayed late at work tonight, right?" Again, all I can do is nod. "Freddie’s keeping you busy?"
The question lingers in the air. It’s so casual, so offhand, but I can feel the weight of it. My pulse spikes, and I catch my breath, trying to mask it.
"I like the work, so I’m always happy to stay late," I shoot back as diplomatically as I can manage. I refuse to read between the lines. "Penny is a sweetheart. Especially when she’s sleeping."
The joke doesn’t land.
I can’t stand this. I need to get away.
"I have an early morning, so…"
Jesse watches me back off. I don’t like the darkness in his eyes at all.
His eyes narrow ever so slightly, and for a moment, I’m sure he knows something. He’s onto me, or at least onto something. The way he’s looking at me now feels different, like he’s finally putting the pieces together, even if he hasn’t said anything outright.
I force a smile, trying to shake the growing unease. "I’ll just get some sleep. It’s late."
I turn to walk away, but before I reach the door, I hear him again.
"Sleep well."
His voice is almost too flat now, too controlled, and it sends a chill down my spine.
I pause, glancing back over my shoulder. "You too."
But I know it’s not just a simple "goodnight." There’s something more hanging between us. A quiet understanding that’s suffocating in its silence.
The anticipation here is horrible, but I don’t know if I want the eruption to happen either…
Once locked away safely in my room, I toss my jacket onto the bed with a bit more force than necessary and sink into the mess of covers, pulling my phone from my pocket like it’s a lifeline. There’s a text from Olivia, and the sight of her name on the screen almost makes me feel like I can breathe again.
Olivia:I’m getting so excited to see you. Work has been HORRIBLE. Need some bestie time.
Relief floods me.
I need her now more than ever.
Ivy:OMG the sooner you get here, the better!
Olivia: Oh, I feel that. I’ll be there with a suitcase full of snacks and all the gossip you can handle.
Ivy: If you show up with anything less than three pints of ice cream and a bottle of wine, I’ll have to reconsider our friendship.
Olivia: You drive a hard bargain, but I’m up for the challenge. I need to know all about the new small town life you’re living.
I let out a little chuckle to myself as I type out a response to the one person who I can guarantee won’t judge me.
