Page 84 of Awakened
Zach pulled me to him, and I broke down sobbing.
“I did-didn’t t-t-tell him I loved him.”
“He knew.”
I shook my head vigorously against Zach’s chest. “Bu-t I was so-so terr-ible.”
Somehow, he knew what I was saying. “No, you were frustrated. Your dad knew you loved him.”
He rubbed my back, but I wasn’t calming down.
“You know what? That’s enough research for you. You’re going to go shower, then hit the sack.”
“I-I need to keep going through this. Maybe I missed something. I need to figure out who killed Grace and my dad.”
“I understand, I really do, but I don’t think that information is in these notes. We’ve got a good start here. It’s time to rest and regroup.”
I didn’t move. There was no way I could stop.
“Fine. I didn’t want to have to say this.” Zach sighed. “You stink and look like a greaseball.”
I hiccuped and laughed so hard that snot shot out of my nose. He was right. It had been days since I showered.
“You promise we’ll get back at it tomorrow?”
“I promise.”
“Fine.”
Zach led me upstairs to the bathroom. “Now get in there, and don’t come out until you smell delicious again.”
He kissed the top of my head, then turned to leave. The urge to make him stay struck. It had been a long emotional day—hell,the last two weeks had been a real bitch. I decided to get what I wanted and needed—Zach.
“What if I need help?”
Zach smiled. “What kind of help we talking?”
I took his hands and dragged him into the bathroom with me. He cocked his eyebrow, and I nodded. I worried he would ask questions or want to discuss what was happening, but he just went with it.
When I tugged off my robe, he laughed. “Really, Les? You’ve been sitting in just a robe for how many days now?”
“Shut up! I didn’t have any clean clothes or the desire to do laundry. If you want, you can do the honors. I have at least five loads to get through.” I batted my eyelashes.
He shook his head. “No thanks.”
“Suit yourself.” I turned on the shower and waited for the water to warm up.
I felt kind of awkward standing there naked while Zach leaned against the sink, watching me. “Aren’t you going to take your clothes off? Or is this how you do your laundry?”
“I was just thinking. We haven’t been together in months, but now you’re back from Denver and inviting me into showers.”
“Is there a question in there somewhere?”
“I guess I’m just wondering how Seth can be that big of a fool. That’s all.”
Rubbing my arm, I shrugged. What was there to say?
Thankfully, Zach didn’t need a response and pulled his shirt over his head.
