Page 147 of Dark Love

One night. A few nights of beautiful sleep with Vex and my body rebels.

He’s not coming back until the morning. Now my eyes won’t shut, and my body won’t settle.

This is foolish.

Absolutely foolish.

I grab a nice, thick quilt and my laptop and trudge downstairs. Max is probably asleep after eating the cookies I brought over this afternoon. I’d be asleep if I drank all that bourbon.

That conversation was soembarrassing.

Why? Why couldn’t I have just ignored Adonis? Or better yet, have the nerve to ask Vex without worrying about what he’ll think.

There’s a distinct chill in the air. It was definitely a good idea to wear my warmest pajamas. I climb onto the lounge chair and curl up into my blanket.

This isn’t normal.

None of my life is normal.

Sleep should be easy.

Do I really think that I’m going to sleep all night in this chair worrying that Vex is in some alleyway hurt and alone?

None of this is logical.

“Hey there.”

Max’s voice startles me. “Hi.”

He takes a seat next to me.

“I didn’t expect to see you tonight.” And it seems I’m blurting out whatever pops into my head.

“I didn’t expect to be here tonight.” Max leans forward, steepling his fingers together. “Why am I here?”

How do I answer a question that I keep asking myself? I shrug.

“Shouldn’t the guy you like be here?”

Vex should be, but he’s out doing something moderately dangerous that he can’t tell me anything about. I shrug.

“What’s going on Dahlia? You know you can talk to me about anything.”

Can I? “The trouble I’ve been having with sleep isn’t related to being roofied… well, not completely related. It wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t, but it’s only sort of the reason I can’t sleep. And I’ve been using you. I’m sorry.”

“Dahlia, slow down, take a breath, and explain that to me one more time.”

“Vex—”

“Yes, Dahl?”

What? Vex!?! I half-jump, half-fall out of the lounger. My laptop makes an odd splat on the brick pavers, but I don’t even have time to think about that.

Max grabs me so that my face doesn’t meet the ground the sameway.

“What are you doing here? I thought you wouldn’t be back until tomorrow morning.” My voice comes out as this weird screech.

“The question that’s going to be answered is, why is Vincenti in your backyard after midnight? I don’t see a party and those look like pajamas.”

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