Page 16 of Nothing to Do

EIGHT

AFTER MAKING HER decision, it was easier to fake it in front of the exuberant Alessia. She even went for a drink with her and her friends after dinner. They talked constantly about how incredible Roman was during their hike that day. He was so strong and fit and amazing. Even Thea started to believe it.

No one asked about her day. Why would they? As far as everyone else was concerned, all she did was work. Their focus on the star and excitement about what was to come gave her a break. No one was looking at her, so she could almost forget what happened.

It all came crashing back to her upon opening her eyes the next morning. There was no avoiding it. Her notes were in the corporate suite. She could start over without them, but she’d mapped out some good pathways. A second swing wouldn’t do them their original justice.

Plus, you know, Zane might get the crazy idea about bringing them to her room. Shaking that notion wasn’t quick or easy.

All she had to do was go there, collect her things, and apologize for sending him any signals. There could be no more signals.

Except when she got there, Zane was on the terrace, talking on what appeared to be a cellphone. She didn’t look too closely; he was moving around and could turn her way any second.

It was best. Perfect, actually. While he was out there talking, she could gather her things.

Hurrying over to the desk, intentions clear, she paused at the sight of the latte in the same place it had been the previous day. Damn. That had been good latte. She’d miss the latte. Yeah, that was the root of her sorrow.

Shaking off her disappointment, that wasn’t really about the drink, she pulled her bag across the desk to collect her things into it.

“Wandering away, Wanderer?”

She hadn’t heard him approach, probably because he was only just inside the tall terrace doors.

“It’ll only take me a minute to get out of your hair.”

So much for the speech she’d been mentally writing all morning.

“You don’t have to go,” he said, coming closer.

Still, she couldn’t make eye contact. Nothing had changed since she’d abandoned him on the chaise the previous day.

“It’s okay. I can work anywhere.”

“Thea,” he said from the other side of the desk. Unable to look up, she kept stacking her things, stuffing them into her bag. He came around to her side. “Thea.”

That time he accompanied the murmur of his name on her lips with his fingers combing into her hair to scoop a hand around the base of her skull.

“Don’t,” she said, wincing as she raised her shoulders in a recoil. “Please.”

“I should’ve realized you were a runner,” he said, taking his hand from her hair like she’d asked.

Except the minute it was gone, she wanted it back. Right then, it hit her how much trouble she was in.

“I have a lot of work to do.”

“I know and this is the best place to do it.”

He put the phone on the desk as she stuffed the last of her things in her bag.

“I thought there was no cellphone coverage around here.”

“There will be by next summer. But that’s a sat phone.”

Much smaller than she thought they were, but what did she know.

“I’ve taken over your space for too long,” she said, intending to leave.

Zane caught her shoulders to halt her. “Can we not pretend you’re running out of here for any reason other than what happened yesterday?” She didn’t say a word, but he smiled. “I kissed you.”

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