Page 100 of Dark Love

Payne would say I’m wrong for hoping he chooses the other way… the permanent choice.

Is she secretly married?

There hasn’t been a single other sign of a man living here. I snatch a beer out and pour a glass of milk, then rush over to the coat closet by the door.

He’d have to have a coat there.

Nothing… There’s nothing but a dozen different women’s coats and jackets.

Time’s up. I run up the stairs.

Why does Dahlia have beer in her refrigerator?

Who’s been drinking that beer?

Don’t ask.

Don’t ask.

Play this cool. “What are you doing out of bed?” That was the exact opposite of cool.

She pokes her head above the chest lid. “Um. I’m… Um.” Dahlia closes the lid and holds a blanket in front of her like a shield. “Getting you a blanket.”

“Dahl, it’s hot in your house. I don’t need a blanket.”

“I keep the temperature at a chilly 66.”

“Still don’t need a blanket, Dahl.”

“But you don’t have jammies on. I. um… I… um… didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that I... you wear those clothes outside… and it’s my um… bed. And in bed, people wear jammies.”

“I can grab a chair or sit on the floor.”

“NO!” She practically jumps out of her skin. “There’s no need. I’ll just put this on the bed. The way we can cu—” Dahlia slaps a hand across her mouth, dropping the blanket to the floor.

Do not stare at her. It doesn’t matter how enticing those little shorts are that she’s pretending are pajamas.

“What I meant is, you’ll be more comfortable on the bed. I’ll just spread this out. Then we can relax.”

“That’s doubtful.” The beer will torment me until I get some answers.

Don’t stare at her. She’s sick. She’s not playing games with you.

“All set.” Dahlia stands up, rushes around to the other side of the bed, and climbs in. “Are you—Do you—Is this—”

“Dahl, relax.” I’m anything but relaxed. Has she noticed the beer in my hand?

That’s doubtful.

“I don’t do that very well.”

Yet another thing we have in common. Though I’m better at hiding it.

With a controlled stride, I walk over to her side of the bed and set her glass of milk down on her nightstand, giving her a clear view of the beer in my hand.

She gives me nothing.

But her focus is off. Instead of placing the flowers on the dresser, I set them next to the nightstand, moving the bottle in my hand right into her line of sight.

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