Page 77 of Not As Advertised

When 6:00 a.m. arrived, I forced my gritty eyes open with some major willpower. I must have caught a few hours of sleep if I felt this groggy.

The hours after midnight came right back to me. Aiden had gone to his niece.

Shit. Right.

Quickly getting Mew into his travel carrier, followed by gathering up my belongings from Aiden’s bedroom, I ordered a cab to pick me up.

Being a Sunday, there was little I could do to change Aiden’s schedule. I also didn’t want to email Jack Blakley on his behalf. I’d confirm what I needed to later on, hopefully after an update from Aiden when he landed.

All I was going to do when I got home was feed Mew and then spend the day in bed catching up on sleep. The stress of the night and getting so little sleep had me feeling nauseous. I needed to sleep off everything I was feeling before I had to face work on Monday.

After Sunday passed quickly while I was in bed, I found myself exhausted before ten a.m. after meeting with Miles to update him after I’d rescheduled Aiden’s whole week. To my relief, Aiden had contacted Jack and copied Miles, so I didn’t have to look weird being the first one to know about his absence.

Sitting numbly at my desk, I wondered how I would get through the day. I didn’t text Indie for our midday coffee infusion, still feeling queasy with anxiety. I didn’t think adding caffeine to my already wired system was a good idea right now. I wasn’t even sure I could swallow it at the moment. It didn’t take long for Indie to notice my absence.

Indie: Where are you? Don’t tell me you’re skipping work to stay in bed with your boyfriend?

Any other day, I would have rolled my eyes at her antics. But today, thoughts of Aiden were a thousand prickling needles. My instinct was to avoid being a burden. But Indie would come upstairs if I didn’t tell her something, so I gave in and explained.

Abbie

His niece is sick. He left for LA at 2 a.m. :(

Indie

What?!! Is she OK?

Abbie

I don’t know. I haven’t heard from him other than a text to say he’d arrived in LA.

Indie

Shit, girl. I’m sorry. There’s more to this. I know it. Lunch?

Abbie

I don’t think I’m up for anything.

Indie

I get it. I’m gonna text Emery to meet us after work at your place.

I knew just because I didn’t feel up to seeing anyone now, I would feel better having Indie and Emery’s support rather than letting my own thoughts get the best of her.

Abbie

OK. 6?

Indie

Yep. Don’t make me find you, babe ;)

Indie’s threat pulled the first semi-smile to my lips since Aiden had left.

The phone on my desk rang from Jack Blakley’s extension. Picking up, I was surprised he was calling me. Shouldn’t this call be directed to Miles?

“Mr. Blakley?”

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