Page 75 of Wayward
“You know, I used to be a morning person.” I stretch and slide out of the bed.
“I know. I believe you.”
There’s a knock at the door, and Zane goes and answers it. “Holloway,” he says. “Haley just woke up. I’m not sure we’re ready to go to the dining room yet.”
I hold the sheet up to my chest. Even though I have Zane’s T-shirt on, I still feel exposed. “If you give me a few minutes, I’m sure I’ll be ready soon.”
“If you could hurry up, I’d appreciate it. There are not many of us here to watch you all.” Holloway turns around.
I glance over at Zane. I guess that’s my cue to get out of bed. I scoot out the opposite way from Holloway and hightail it to the bathroom. A few minutes later, I’m back out into the main room. My wardrobe consists of three wrap dresses. Holloway and Zane are looking out the window together.
“Anything interesting?” I ask.
“I was just telling Zane about the grounds, since we’re on new terms.”
I smile and give a little nod. “I’m ready to go.” I put my hand on my stomach.
“Good, because the chef here isn’t as patient as Esmeralda.”
At the mention of her name, it makes me sad, thinking about Penny and Pepper stuck back in Thailand. Sam and I have talked about how we need to make sure that we get them back. They're family, too. We will. “Well, let’s not keep the chef waiting. I know how they can be.” I smile at Zane.
“There’s just not as much staff here. I really need you guys to keep up your end of the bargain. You need to really believe what he told you. It’s a death sentence otherwise. I don’t like that he . . .”
Zane and I wait for Holloway to continue.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing. Collins used to work for Ed. I don’t trust him. And you shouldn’t either.” Holloway nods. “But I never said that. After you.” He opens the door and gives us directions through the complicated corridors and down a back flight of stairs. I’m going to need a map to know where I’m going from now on. We take another left from his directions and are in the grand entryway of the chateau. Heavy tapestry curtains line each doorway—tall potted palms are at equal intervals too. “Next right,” Holloway says.
I take the right and jump. “Collins! Sorry, you gave me a fright.” I clasp my hand to my chest. His eyes lock with mine, and it’s weird. I feel like I should know him. But why? He’s just the asshole who shot at Zane, the one even Holloway doesn’t trust because he used to be one of Ed’s men.
“My apologies.” He waves me into the dining room.
“Sassy,” Dante calls to me. “You’re awake, finally. I thought it might be dinnertime before we saw you.” He pats the chair next to him. “I saved you a spot. It’s not bad—the food that it is.” He spears a sausage and holds it up. “It’s still English food. This spot is the best because it’s next to me.”
“Mushroom, sausage, and tomatoes. I’m in heaven.” Zane races to a chair next to Sam.
“Hey,” I say and wave to Calvin, Sam, and Easton. When what I want to do is go over and kiss them all. But my inhibitions are back.
Dante serves up a plate of food for me from the covered dishes down the center of the table. But it’s not long before a footrubs the side of my leg. Only, whose foot is it? Easton’s staring out the window. Calvin’s eating, and Sam’s reading a paper.
Chapter 33
Diving
Sam
I’m reading the section of newspaper that Easton’s done with. I’m not even sure why. But it does make me feel like things might be edging toward normal again. Like there’s an end to this that doesn’t leave us buried in a ditch on a beach. That’s enough, I guess. I’m not sure I’ve read a paper since I sold my half of the house to Jennifer. That’s a million years ago. But the second that Haley sits down, diagonally from me? I stop reading and drop my slipper under the table, running my foot up the side of her calf. In my peripheral vision, I see her trying to figure out which of us it is.
“Do you not like the lunch, Sassy?” Dante asks. “It’s not the best, but it’s good for British food.”
“Hey!” Zane says, then pauses. “You know what? You’re right; I rescind my objection.” Zane laughs over his mound of eggs. “How hard we had to work for just a couple of these.” He holds his next forkful of eggs in front of his mouth. “Remember when we got the chickens?” He’s looking at Haley.
“I remember when you got the chickens. Because you almost drowned, but then you asked me to marry you.” She smiles at Zane.
“I did, and I meant it. You, me, and any other of these losers you want.”
“That loser line feels like a winner’s line,” Calvin says.
