Page 106 of Sweet Little Thing

“I can show you the apartment complex where I lived for a year. It is affordable, and you’ll feel safe there.” I vaguely remember Shay mentioning her previous apartment last night. Perhaps her place was better than the one I’d found.

“I need to clean up here and restock the bar. You can show me the complex afterward if you are available then.” I drank more, attempting to get myself together. An all-day hangover was notan option.

“Our party area is already cleaned up. We can buy replacement alcohol while we’re out.”

“Okay,” I nodded. “Thanks for cleaning up.”

She shrugged. “It was my idea to drink and eat here. I’m heading to my apartment to take a shower and get dressed. If you feel like eating, I left you snacks in the kitchen. We didn’t eat everything last night. Eat something, you’ll feel better.”

I wasn’t sure I believed that, but I nodded. Wait. Heidi. I’d forgotten. I was supposed to bring her pancakes today. Due to my hangover from hell, I was already late getting going today. And I was running out of time.

“I have to make pancakes for my sister. I need to do that first.” It took all my strength, but I stood up. I had too much to do and needed to snap out of it fast.

“There are enough pastries and crap left over in the kitchen. You want to take that to her?”

I dismissed her suggestion. “No. She wants special pancakes. I’ll have to make them.” I shuffled out of the bathroom and went to the kitchen to force a sandwich down my throat, hoping it would magically cure me.

The front door opened before I reached the kitchen, and I froze. I knew before I looked back toward the entrance that it was him. I didn’t expect Stone back so soon but there was no one else it could be. Our awkwardness with Shay here to witness was the last thing I wanted to face this morning.

When I finally turned, our eyes locked. The sight of his unshaven face and dark gaze warmed me. The cold that had seeped in from his absence lifted. Seeing him made it easier to breathe. Even if the hurt remained.

“Are you sick?” He studied me closely.

“Nope. Hungover, thanks to me.” Shay waltzed down the hallway toward him.

Stone barely glanced at Shay before returning his focus to me. “Where did you go?”

“Chill. Jesus,” Shay drawled. “I didn’t take her out partying. We drank right here in your humble abode. It should be noted she was forced. I had to call in an assist from Chantel to talk her into it. She wouldn’t even sit on your damn furniture to eat until she was too smashed to remember.”

Stone looked relieved instead of angry.

“I’ll leave you two alone. Looks like you have shit you need to say.” Shay stood in front of him and put one hand on her hip. “I think you’re a bastard. Just so you know.”

I paled. I didn’t like her calling him that, but I never imagined she would say it to his face. “And I owe you a bottle of Makers Mark and Goose.” On that last note, she walked out.

After the door closed behind Shay, Stone didn’t move. He was watching me and didn’t say a word.

“I was going to get dressed and move my things out today. I didn’t know you’d be back.”

“We need to talk,” he replied.

Yes, we needed to talk. We needed to talk the other night when he walked away without a word.

My throat and mouth were frozen. I had no response. I could only stand there waiting for him to say more.

“Where did you plan to go?” He sounded stoic.

My new home wasn’t his business. I wanted to shrug and walk away but also stay close to him a little longer. I wanted to absorb every detail of his face, memorize him.

He sighed when I said nothing. I fought the urge to tell him my plans and stood my ground.

I realized Stone was a mystery and that I would never really know him. It didn’t stop me from fearing he’d always be in my head, my heart, and my soul.

Chapter

Sixty–Two

Beulah

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