Page 76 of Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance

Tonight? No, I should wait until morning. He might be tied up tonight.

Changing the sheets.

Despite all my internal insistence that I’m fine, something in me is desperate to know if he’s in his room or if he took Livia up on what sounded like an offer.

I pad across the floor and ease open the door to my side of the bathroom. The space is still dark, although I can smell Zachery in here in the traces of his expensive soap.

I press my ear to the opposite door. If I hear anything untoward, I’m backing away.

But there’s nothing.

I tap on the door. “Zachery? Are you there?”

Nothing.

I turn the handle, not sure I want to look inside.

But I do.

The bed is mussed from our activities earlier. Heat rises to my cheeks when I see the wall he held me against. A curl of desire unfurls in my belly just revisiting this place.

But I wash cold when I realize the room is empty.

Zach is gone.

He left with Livia.

I feel sick and stumble back to the bathroom.

No. I can’t think this way.

Jealousy was not part of the deal. Or possessiveness.

I asked a charming rake to do what he does best.

Then he did.

I splash cool water on my face and head back to my room.

I’ll write out my feelings and be done.

Then there will be no more thinking about this. Only moving forward.

In the morning, maybe I’ll even suggest that Zachery head back.

Except that would be admitting that something has changed between us when I promised it wouldn’t.

And I certainly didn’t prove that I was fine without him. The whole Simon incident showed exactly how much he’s needed.

I have to toughen up. Close that door. Change my own sheets.

I pull out my laptop to clear my head and draft an email I’ll never send.

The only way now is to head toward the man I was meant to find, whoever he is.

I sure hope he shows up soon.

Chapter 26

---