Page 23 of A Whirlwind of Color (The Light to My Darkness 2)

“In a good way?” He flashed me his charming smile.

“Oh yeah, in a great way.” Honestly, it hadn’t been so bad. He was much more fun to hang out with than James. “So I was thinking maybe I’d go for a run this morning.”

“Nah, you don’t want to do that. How about you do some yoga or something?”

I glared at him. “No, I want to go for a run. I’m craving the wind through my hair.”

“I think you’re supposed to be taking it easy for a few more weeks.”

“I need to get rid of all this fat.” I gestured toward my stomach and laughed awkwardly. Seriously, where did this belly come from? “I’m going to go try to find a pair of sneakers.” I stood up and started walking toward the stairs. I couldn’t wait to get some fresh air.

“Penny?”

“I’ll be right back.” I grabbed the railing.

“Wait.”

“It’ll just take a second…”

“You’re not allowed to leave the apartment.”

I froze on the first step. I’m not allowed? I thought about last night when it seemed like James was keeping me prisoner. Part of me wanted to believe it was the wine giving me an overactive imagination. But apparently my memory was perfectly intact from at least one day ago. I walked back over to the table. “What do you mean I’m not allowed?”

“You know what I mean…psh.” He was trying to backtrack. But he wasn’t getting off that easily.

“Honestly, I have no idea what you mean. Are you saying that I’m actually not allowed to go outside?”

He looked so sheepish. “Technically you are. I guess. I mean, of course. But James would prefer if you didn’t leave. And if you do…it should be with him.”

“Seriously? Why?”

He just stared at me.

r /> “Why, Robert?” I emphasized his name as I glared at him.

“Please don’t call me that.” He scrunched his mouth to the side like the name Robert disgusted him.

“Look, I’m pretty sure I can ignore a few harmless paparazzi.” I hope. Yesterday had been stressful. The blinding camera flashes. The questions I didn’t know how to answer. “It’s not a big deal. I’ll be back in half an hour. I’m clearly out of shape.”

I turned to start walking back up the steps.

“It’s not the paparazzi we’re worried about.”

“Then what is it?”

“I should probably call James.”

“Rob, just tell me. What possible reason does James have for locking me up in here?” I felt like I was Rapunzel, locked in a tower. Except I was in a sky rise in the middle of the worst city ever. And my hair wasn’t blonde. Minor details.

“I’m going to call him real quick.”

“You do that. I’ll be looking for sneakers.” I jogged up the stairs. Ow. I touched the side of my stomach. When was the last time I exercised? I couldn’t possibly already have a cramp.

I ignored the pain as I rummaged through the closet. It had taken me awhile to find the spandex shorts, sports bra, and tank top I was currently wearing. But sneakers were easier. They were on the bottom row of the shoe rack. I lifted up one of the pairs. They were as light as a feather. Why wasn’t I in better shape when I had such amazing workout gear? I quickly laced them up and headed back downstairs.

“James is on his way home,” Rob said.

“Cool. I’ll catch him when I get back.”

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