Page 64 of All Jacked Up

He nodded his head once. “You’re welcome, Shakespeare.”

Turning, I headed for the exit, and an ache crept in the farther I got. I didn’t know if we’d ever watch a movie together again. Or stay in the same house. We could just go back to texting and a few calls. Move on with our lives like these past two days hadn’t happened.

By the time I got to the door of the room I was staying in, my mood had plummeted. Stepping inside, I closed it behind me, then went to get my phone from the charger beside the bed. I had a missed call from Jellie and three texts.

Jellie: Uh, since when do you not answer my calls?

Jellie: And my texts?

Jellie: You’d better be asleep. There is no other excuse that will save you from my wrath.

A smile tugged at my lips, and I decided to text her. She would hear my voice and know something was wrong.

Me: I was letting my phone charge by the bed while I watched a movie.

That was the truth.

Jellie: Hmm. I am assuming your phone was silenced.

Me: Yes. I’m going to bed now, but I will call you tomorrow.

I needed to tell her about my mother, and she would rant that I hadn’t called her so she could come with me. I wasn’t in the mood for that right now.

Jellie: You’d better. Because otherwise, I might have to kick your ass when I see you next, and you know my kung fu is strong.

I laughed. She had never taken any martial arts class in her life.

Me: I will. Night. Love you.

Jellie: Love you!

Setting my phone back down, I turned to go get changed into my nightgown and brush my teeth. I’d showered earlier and not left the house to get dirty again, so I saw no need to take another one. All my things were still neatly packed in my suitcase, and all I had to do was take out something to wear for tomorrow.

Once it was all done, I turned off the bathroom light before making my way to the bed and pulling back the covers. The fresh scent from whatever the sheets had been washed in was welcoming. I wondered if I would finally meet the elusive Wilma tomorrow before I left. I wanted to know what laundry detergent she used.

A knock on my door stopped me, and my head snapped up, and then my gaze swung in that direction. There was only one person here other than me. What did Ransom want? He could have texted me. My heart fluttered in my chest as I walked over to the door. He probably just needed to tell me something, or maybe he couldn’t take me in the morning.

What if he was leaving … to go see some woman?

Okay, that killed the flutters.

Opening the door, I prepared myself for whatever it was he’d come to say. I wouldn’t show any reaction. I’d smile and say,All right, then possibly cry in my pillow.

Ransom’s eyes met mine, and then they dropped to my body, and it was then I remembered that I was in a short aqua-blue satin nightie.

Oops.

He cleared his throat.

I should grab a blanket or something. Cover up. Shouldn’t I?

“I, uh …” he started and stopped. His eyes were on my legs.

Maybe I wouldn’t cover up.

“I forgot,” he said, then paused some more as his eyes made their way back up my body.

When they met mine again, I shivered.

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