Page 158 of Where We Bloom

“Because I’m a grown-ass woman who can decide for herself what time of day she wants to go for a motherfucking drive!”

I’ve never seen her this angry.

“If you weren’t going to let me drive this car, why did you buy it for me?”

I pull my glasses off and rub my eyes. “Of course, you can drive it. It’s yours. Just please take Simon with you.”

“This is fucking insane,” she mutters.

“Bumble, tell me why you’re taking drives in the middle of the night.”

“Because I can’t fucking sleep,” she retorts, her face flushed and eyes bright with frustration. “I can’t settle. I miss you.”

Her eyes fill with tears, and it’s almost my undoing.

“Angel, I’m coming home tomorrow.”

I had planned to stay the week, but fuck that. My girl bleedin’ needs me.

“It’s not your fault,” she says, furiously wiping away the tears on her cheeks. “It’s just stupid insomnia, and it’s ridiculous that I need my person with me to sleep. That’s an addiction or something. Maybe I need an intervention.”

My lips twitch as I watch her. “I miss you too,mo chroi. So much it hurts. And I’m not sleeping well, either.”

“We have a serious problem.”

“Aye. We’re in love, and being apart is brutal.” That makes her lower lip quiver again, and I swear under my breath. “Hang in there for just one more day. Can you do that for me?”

“I’m sorry.” She blows out a breath and wipes more tears away. “This is so silly. If I could just sleep, I’d be fine.”

“I know.” God, I wish I could touch her. She needs to be held and kissed. I’m not there to give it to her, and it’s driving me out of my bleedin’ mind.

“Simon might quit,” she says. “I was kind of mean to him. But Emily thinks he’s hot, so maybe we should try to keep him.”

“Emily’s attracted to Simon?”

“Yeah. And I asked him if he liked her, and he paused before he said no, which means yes.”

I blink at her. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

“It’s romantic,” she insists. “But I really pissed him off tonight. Or this morning. Whatever it is.”

“Don’t worry about Simon, exceptplease, don’t go anywhere without him until I get home. Now, I want you to go upstairs, get into our bed, and relax. Breathe. Take my clothes with you so you can smell me.”

She sniffs. “Okay. I’m sorry I’m such a brat.”

“No, you aren’t.” I laugh when she rolls her lips together and grins. “Get some rest, angel. I’ll see you soon.”

“Good night. Love you.”

“I love you as well.”

She hangs up, and I drag my hand down my face before shooting Simon a quick text.

Just spoke with Billie. Thank you for getting her home safely. She will not ditch you again.

When I return to the conference room, I’m met with some scowls and silence.

“Is there a problem?”

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