Page 29 of Do Not Disturb
I’m struggling not to burst into tears. “Well, I can’t stay here.”
“Why not?”
“Because…” I let my heavy bag drop onto the floor. “Greta told me that… She read my fortune and said that I’m in danger.”
Nick just stares at me for a moment. Then he bursts out laughing. “Are you serious? I’m sorry, but… really? That’s not really why you’re leaving, is it?”
“It was…” I dig my thumbnail into my palm. “It was creepy. She seemed to know things about me. And even she seemed freaked out. It felt… real.”
“Well, it wasn’t. Believe me.”
“But—”
“It. Wasn’t. Real.” He says it with such conviction, it’s hard not to believe him. “She’s a performer. She’s not psychic. Come on, Kelly. That’s ridiculous.”
“It felt real,” I insist.
He shrugs. “That’s because she’s good at it. You know what she does? It’s called cold reading. She told me about it once. She watches you as she says things and looks for subtle cues in your facial expression and body language that tell her she’s on the right track. She did it for a living for thirty years. She’sreallygood at it.”
“I… I don’t know.”
“Yeah, butIknow, and I’m telling you. That’s what she does.”
I look down at my luggage next to my sneakers. I want to believe that was all a performance. I don’t want to go sit in my cold car, waiting for that plow to come.
“It’s very easy,” Nick insists. “EvenIcould do it. Watch.” He shuts his brown eyes and massages his temples with his fingertips. “I’m looking into your past. I’m seeing… a man. A very attractive man. Your husband.”
I stare at him. “That’s exactly what she said.”
The left side of his lips quirks up. “Right. Well, you came in here wearing a wedding ring. And obviously, you think your own husband is attractive. So…”
“Yes, but…”
He massages his temples again. “And now I’m seeing a horrible fight between you. Something terrible. And now… now you’re running away…”
I take a step back. “How did you…?”
He shrugs. “You’re not wearing your ring anymore. And come on, you’reobviouslyrunning away from something. I’ve never seen anyone so panicked.” He looks me in the eyes. “You’re pretty easy to read…Kelly. I don’t need to be psychic.”
I take a deep breath, steadying myself by clutching the desk. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’m overreacting to something that was obviously a performance. Maybe I told Greta my name without realizing it. It’s certainly something I could’ve done unconsciously.
“Okay,” I say. “I… I guess I’ll wait for the plow.”
He nods. “That’s a good idea. IpromiseI’ll call you as soon as they get here.”
“Okay, thanks.” I take another deep breath. “I appreciate your kindness.”
“You’re going to be okay.” He puts his hand on mine. His fingers are a little rough and calloused, unlike Derek’s baby smooth skin. For a moment, a thrill goes through me. But then he pulls his hand away. “Just hang out upstairs. You’ll be out of here before you know it.”
I take my bag and trudge back up the stairs. Despite his reassurances, something is telling me I’m making a horrible mistake by staying here.
Chapter Thirteen
When I get back up to my room, there isn’t much to do. Since I slept so horribly, I lie down on the bed and shut my eyes. Maybe I could get a bit of sleep in, so that I can drive all night long. After staying in one place for so long, I need to put some distance between me and my home. Fast.
I drift in and out of sleep for a couple of hours. Every time I get into any sort of deep sleep, the image of Derek with the red stain spreading across his abdomen pops into my head. And then I’m wide awake.
That will haunt me for the rest of my life.
