Page 80 of The Light to My Darkness (The Light to My Darkness 1)

"Hey, Matt?"

He turned around before he reached the door.

"All that stuff you said about James. About why I chose him. And that I didn't know what he was like before I met him..."

"I was joking." He smiled. "Just wanted to see how flustered I could get you."

"Oh. Right."

He laughed. "You know where my room is if you need anything else."

"Mhm. Goodnight, Matt." I watched the door close behind him. I turned and looked at the bed. Despite my brain telling me not to, I got down on my hands and knees and looked under it. I shook my head. There are no snakes in The Plaza Hotel. I climbed into bed and turned the light o

ff. But instead of closing my eyes, I just stared at the ceiling. James wouldn't land for another several hours. I bit the inside of my lip. A voicemail would be a nice thing to land to, though. Besides, I really just needed to hear his voice. I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and clicked on James' name. His voicemail switched on automatically.

"You've reached James. Leave your name and number, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

I smiled at the sound of his voice. "Hey, James," I said after the beep. "I know you're probably a hundred miles from home by now. And you can't answer your phone until you land. I think I can actually feel the distance. Is that crazy?" I laughed. It sounded sad in the empty room. I rolled onto my side and stared at the empty spot beside me. "I can't fall asleep because the bed is too empty without you. Try to finish up and get back to us as fast as you can, okay? I miss you. Scar misses you. Liam misses you." I put my hand on my stomach and smiled. "And we can't wait to see you when you get back. I love you." Suddenly I thought I might cry. I was desperate for his touch. We had only been apart for a few hours. How could I feel his absence so completely? I cleared my throat. "I just wanted to warn you that I'll probably sleep on your side of the bed when I get home tomorrow night. Thanks for leaving the shirt, but I feel like your scent has already disappeared." I laughed, but it sounded forced. "Have a safe trip, James. I'll see you in a few days." I hung up before my tears could start falling.

Chapter 27

Sunday

"Looks like you two had fun last night," I said as I sat down at the table where Jen and Ian were seated.

Jen put her hand on her forehead. "Ugh. It feels like a dump truck ran over my face."

Ian laughed.

"Don't laugh at me," she said and put her head on his shoulder. "You're not allowed to laugh at your fiancée. It's like...a rule."

He kissed her forehead. "Noted. Do you want me to get you some water or something?"

She sighed and lifted her head. "No, I've got it. If I don't move I'm going to fall asleep." She slowly stood up. "Be right back. Don't talk about me when I'm gone," she said and pointed back and forth between Ian and me.

"We won't," I said and started to pick at my eggs. I wasn't planning on talking about her. But I was planning on bringing up something she didn't want me to. As soon as she was out of earshot, I set down my fork. "Are you really moving back to New York?"

Ian smiled. "That's the plan."

"It'll be nice to have you back."

"It'll be nice to be back."

I glanced over at the buffet table where Jen was chatting with someone. The time to ask Ian was now or never. "I know Jen said you wouldn't want to, but I have to ask...because I miss you and our new driver is so formal and I feel like he doesn't like me..." I let my voice trail off.

"Are you asking if I want my old job back?" He took a sip of his orange juice. It looked like he was studying me.

"Yes. God, Ian, we'd love to have you back. But obviously if you and Jen..."

"I've been waiting for the offer ever since we landed." He set down his cup and his familiar smile spread over his face. "Maybe Jen doesn't want me to work for you and James, but I've been on a few terrible interviews this week, and honestly, I couldn't imagine working for anyone else. I'd love to come back."

I tried not to squeal. "You have no idea how excited I am. Although, breaking the news to William won't be very fun." I bit the inside of my lip. I had never fired someone before.

"Hell, I'll break the news to him," Ian said with a laugh.

I smiled. "Let's just let James do it when he gets back."

"Let James do what?" Jen asked as she sat back down.

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