Page 55 of Fated Shot

We’re silent, just perfectly contented and happy in each other's company. I breathe in her scent, enveloped by a wave of delicious peach sweetness that always drifts from her hair, while absorbing the calm of her gentle breaths. This is peace. This ismypeace.

“I have to be up super early tomorrow,” she whispers, breath softly tickling into my chest.

“I know you do. Get some sleep, I can go.”

Instead of releasing me, though, she snuggles in a little closer and falls asleep instantly in the crook of my arm.

All I can think is that Max was right. If it means I get her, I’d risk the trade too.

Chapter 22

Jack

My eyes fly open as I wake up in a cold sweat. “Shit.”

Thankfully, my sudden jolting does nothing to wake Mia, who is still out cold. It’d be a beautiful sight if I weren’t so damn panicked. I stretch out my arm, trying to reach for my phone without moving her around too much.

1:28 am Penn:You home?

1:35 am Penn:Brody, you home?

1:41 am Penn:In an uber

1:43 am Penn:I have no food at my apartment, gotta raid your fridge. Gonna let myself in, this is your official warning.

It’s 1:45 am. Shitttt. I carefully unravel myself from Mia, stumbling around to pick up my suit pants and button-up. I throw them on as fast as I can, sliding my shoes on, sockless, before I run out the door.

He has to be at least ten minutes away, which means I have time. I can make it. Still, it doesn’t stop my dead sprint to the elevators.

What are the chances he checked my location?Low, Jack.Why would he even be checking? I’ve been so good about turning it off. He definitely hasn’t even noticed, but it only takes one stupidmistake.

The doors slide open. Stepping in, I pound on the close button before pulling out my phone to type a quick message to Mia.

Me:Wanted to let you sleep, I let myself out. I’ll text you tomorrow.

I make it in record time, slamming the keycard over my door twice before the green light flashes, and I tug on the handle, letting myself in.

OK. Boxers—pretend you were asleep. I run up the stairs two at a time, tossing my pants, shirt, and jacket in a pile before jumping into bed.

What do I do if he saw? My brain races, trying to come up with some sort of alibi.

It’s the city, so… Bad reception? Location bouncing? Inaccurate signal?Something.Shit, I’m a terrible liar.

He didn’t see; he couldn’t have seen. And even if he did? Deny, deny, deny. As if this whole situation didn’t feel wrong before, it sure as hell does now.

Less than two minutes later, I hear the click of my door as Penn stumbles in. Familiar thumps enter, hitting my recently cleaned marble flooring.

“Shoes. Off. Penn.”

I can hear a huff, frantic shuffling, and then his voice calls up exasperated, “They WERE off!” A small laugh slips out of me, and I’m grateful for the diffusion of tension—such a punk.

I head downstairs, playing up a just-woken-up expression, to see Penn with a full sandwich hanging out of his mouth, guilty, boyish grin and all.

“Go ahead, help yourself to my sub,” I say sarcastically.

“Thank you so much, I think I will.” He finishes the rest in two bites. It’s honestly a miracle how Nancy kept all three of usfed. Somehow, Penn, despite being the smallest between us, always had the biggest appetite.

“Your location kept showing you in the building over; think you need to reset your phone or something.” My mouth is instantly stripped of every ounce of moisture. I’m replaying his words in my head for any hint of suspicion, but I struggle to find any. I may just be in the clear.

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