Page 10 of The Shadow

I open a drawer next to her fridge, finding a small plastic bag and filling it with ice. Next, I grab a dish towel, wrapping it around the bag of ice. I crouch down in front of her, reaching down to slowly remove her other shoe first. I slip the delicate strap from her ankle, reaching for the other foot and placing it in my lap with the bag of ice. She hisses when the cold hits her skin.

“Looks like it’s a bit swollen already.” I rub my thumb against her ankle, her foot jerking slightly.

“Ticklish.” She blushes.

“Sorry.” I move the ice around, slowly moving her ankle in a small circular motion. “How’s that feel?”

“Hurts a little but I think it’s getting better.”

“Take an anti-inflammatory for the swelling.” I wrap the towel with ice around her ankle and swivel it up to rest on the couch next to her.

“Thank you,” she whispers softly, and my eyes can’t help but fall to her pink lips that have a perfect little Cupid’s bow at the top. I’m struck with the urge to lean in and sink my teeth into her plump bottom lip.

“I should get going but if you need anything”—I look down at her ankle and pull my phone from my pocket—“actually, give me your number. I’ll send you a text so you have my contact information. That way you reach me without having to get up.”

She reads off her phone number and I store it, sending her a quick test text. Her phone dings on the island behind me. I walk over and grab it, handing it to her.

“I mean it. If you need anything, give me a call.”

“Thanks, but I’m sure by morning this will be totally fine.” She laughs, shaking her head at herself as she rubs her ankle.

“I don’t mean just for that or just tonight.” Her lips slowly part as she stares up at me. “If he comes back again, Aspen, it’s going to be a problem.”

Chapter 5

Aspen

My phone rings, startling me out of me out of my longing gaze. I have no idea how long I’ve been staring at the door since Harvey left but I need to lock it anyway.

“Hello?” I answer, slowly rising from the couch on my good foot.

“Hey, girl. I haven’t heard from you in a minute. How’s it going?” Blaire’s familiar voice puts a smile on my face.

“Hey, how are you doing?” My voice takes on that weird sympathetic tone you somehow can’t seem to avoid when speaking to someone who’s been dealing with something. “Any more improvement with the morning sickness?” A tinge of pain shoots up my leg when I apply more pressure to my ankle but it’s not as bad as it was. I limp through the pain to my door, sliding both locks into place and quickly looking through the peephole.

“A little. I think basically being bedridden has helped which really sucks actually. But I know it’ll all be worth it in a few more months when she’s here.” I can practically picture her smiling down at her belly as she rubs it. “I miss you, though. I was just telling Jules that I feel like it’s been weeks since we’ve talked.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I just got caught up in getting settled in my new apartment and my new position at work. I let it take over my life and soon the weeks turned into months.”

“Don’t apologize. I totally get it. I didn’t mean to guilt you. I’m just letting you know that we miss you. Also, once I kick this morning sickness to the curb, we need to have a night at my house with all of us. I think Jimmy misses the guys more than he lets on.”

“That sounds like fun. I know I can’t wait to catch up with you guys and see how far along you and Jules are.”

“If she’s even still pregnant by then.” Blaire laughs and while I know she didn’t mean it as a dig against me, I can’t deny the guilt that churns in my stomach. Not only have I been a bad friend but at such a pivotal time when two of my best friends are pregnant.

“I know.” I sigh. “Listen, I really do feel terrible that I’ve let things pull me away and I’m sorry if I haven’t been there for you during your pregnancy.”

“Don’t apologize, Aspen. I get it, I mean it. Besides,” she snorts, “Jimmy is so far up my ass trying to make sure I literally don’t have to lift a finger that I’m about to go insane so trust me when I say all my needs are covered.”

“I have to admit, that does make me feel better and I’m not surprised that’s how he’s behaving.” I giggle. “But you can admit that you like it.”

“Well… maybe a little. But I called because—honestly girl, I’m worried about you. The last few times we’ve hung out, you’ve seemed a little more distant or distracted. Is everything okay?”

I get this weird feeling all of a sudden, like maybe Harvey called Jimmy and told him about tonight or maybe I’m just being paranoid.

“Oh yeah. I think it’s just work, trying to find that balance. This new position is a lot more responsibility than being an assistant.” I hate that I can hear a tinge of defensiveness in my voice. Like I shouldn’t have to defend why I’m stressed. Like my friends have no right to care about me… I should be grateful that they notice and ask, but right now, when I’m still operating in shock about the threats from Mr. Blake, I can’t be.

My stomach drops and I look over at the thumb drive I left on the kitchen island. In the heat of my conversation with Harvey and the two martinis, I somehow managed to forget about the thumb drive.

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