Page 28 of Even Ground

I drop my phone on the table and lean back on the couch. “Only some of the time.”

Our gazes lock, and Pania’s smile slowly disappears the longer we look at each other. She bites her top lip, and I let out a long breath as that freckle disappears and then turns back up again.

“I should really get some sleep,” she says.

I rub my cheek. “Me too.”

“Don’t forget to drink some water. You’ll feel like shit in the morning if you don’t.” She stretches her legs out before standing.

“Good thinking. I’ll do that.” I push myself to my feet. “Goodnight, Pania. Tonight’s been fun.”

She flicks her hair back behind her ear. “It has been. I’m looking forward to Hawaii.”

I nod, slowly. “Me too. It’ll be great for us all to spend some time together.”

“Goodnight.” She raises her hand and gives me a little wave before turning and walking away.

Tonight’s been the most fun I’ve had in a long time. It’s been good to relax with a woman that I find attractive but also enjoyed just hanging out with.

Pania shares my sense of humour, and her loyalty to Delaney is unquestionable. I admire that because that’s how I’ve always felt about Josh.

I pick up my phone and throw it in my jacket pocket before making my way to the kitchen. Helping myself to a glass of cold water from the fridge door, I gulp it down before refilling and drinking that too.

It’s nice someone cared enough to remind me. I’ve had way too many events where I’ve woken up the next morning feeling like crap.

Walking up the hallway, I pause at Pania’s door. If she were anyone else, I’d be tapping to be let in followed by charming my way into her bed.

But there’s no way I’m pulling my usual shit now.

Instead, I walk a little farther to my room.

Throwing my phone on the mattress, I strip off my clothes and climb into bed, naked.

Sure enough, Delaney’s changed the sheets, and they smell of that lightly scented laundry powder she uses. It feels even more like this is home.

Maybe it’s time to sort out one of my own.

7

Pania

There’s a rat living in my head.

At least that’s how my brain feels, as if it’s being nibbled on from the inside. And that’s after I consumed about half a litre of water before bed.

I grab my phone from the bedside table to check the time, and wince: 11:12 a.m.

Delaney and Josh will be winging their way to Hawaii about now. I close my eyes and pretend just for a moment that I’m lying on a beach, the sun bathing me in its warmth, a soft breeze tickling my skin. The weather’s nice in LA, but Hawaii will be magical.

But that’s next week.

For now, I need to haul my arse out of bed and see how Josh’s parents are doing.

The sooner I’m up and about, the sooner I’ll feel better. I know there are painkillers in the kitchen somewhere, and once I get some into me, along with a decent meal, it’ll make all the difference.

I roll out of bed to get dressed, tugging on a pair of shorts and a tank top before heading toward the bathroom to pee and splash water on my face.

The best part about staying here is the en suite. I don’t have to leave the room until I get hungry. But almost on cue, my stomach grumbles.

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