Page 48 of Intrigued
Islowly opened my eyes. The room was filled with bright light. But I knew it had nothing to do with a sun that was hidden behind clouds. It was the glare of the snow shining in through the window. I was alone in bed, but the night before, I’d slept in Jasper’s arms. I sat up.
“Jasper?” When there was no answer, I called his name again louder. I waited for his response, but there wasn’t one.
Once again, I felt cheap as I swung my legs across the mattress and sat on the side of the bed. I had to gather my bearings and not forget what I had planned for the day. It was Christmas Eve, so I had to get to the UPS Store early. Without further delay, I put on my clothes from the previous night and hurried out of the guesthouse.
As the cold morning air mugged me, I used its uncomfortable feeling to help me forget about my night spent with Jasper Christmas. He hadn’t even waited around to look at me in the morning.What a way to send a message.
I went up the path that had been lit for me last night. The mansion loomed in the short distance. However, I squinted at what I ascertained were flashing lights casting their beams against the walls.
My mouth fell open. “What the…” I couldn’t look away from the ambulance.
* * *
Just as Ihad the previous morning, I returned to my bedroom without being seen. The energy of what was going on in the house was palpable. Something was happening with Randolph Christmas. I quickly I took off the dress I’d worn last night and put on long spandex workout pants, a T-shirt, a zip-up hoodie, and running shoes. I hurried to the bathroom to wash off the remnants of last night’s makeup then tied my hair into a ponytail.
“There,” I said, looking in the mirror. Appearing as if I’d gone out jogging that morning was the perfect cover.
“Where were you last night?”
I jumped and saw Bryn standing in the doorway of the bathroom through the reflection in the mirror. I quickly turned to face her.
“Hey,” I said in a consoling tone.
Her face was patchy red, and the skin beneath her eyes was puffy. “Where were you?”
“I went to the party.”
“I know. I saw you, but then you were gone.”
“Yeah, well… I’m working for you. Remember?”
She crossed her arms. “So what were you doing for me?”
My eyes narrowed as I detected a hint of sass in her tone. “Do you know your house has secret hallways?”
“What?” She looked as though that were the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard.
“Wow. You don’t know?”
“Secret hallways? Where? Please show me.”
I nodded. “Come with me.”
Her hand came down on my shoulder as I passed her. I stopped in my tracks.
“You’re not fucking Jasper, are you?”
My mouth was caught open. I didn’t want to lie. “No,” I finally said.
“You’re lying. Were you with him last night?”
It felt as if the air left the room and the space between us diminished. I hated lying to her and didn’t want to do it again.
“Yes,” I whispered.
“I told you to stay away from him.”
“I know.”
