Page 19 of Perfect Convergence

With a sigh, I snuggle closer to him. He traces his fingers up and down my arm, and we fall into a comfortable silence. He’s so warm and comfy. So... safe.

After a few minutes, my eyes begin to droop, and my head drops farther on his chest. “I’m sorry,” I mumble. “I’m always so... tired... on the first day.”

He strokes my hair, pushing it back from my face. Then he pulls the blankets over me. “It’s okay, love. I’ll still be here when you wake up.”

I moan. And then, with his words reassuring me, I drift off within seconds.

I don’t stay out for long. Thirty minutes, I think. Maybe a little longer. I moan, trying to roll over, but find myself still curled up in Elliot’s arms.

“Hey.” He kisses the top of my head. “I texted Rhett to come get me. We have some work to do tonight, and you need to rest.”

“But...” I let the word hang in the air.

But what?

But I don’t want you to leave.

But I don’t want to sleep alone.

“It’s for the best, love.” As he says it, he smooths a hand down my back. “We have a lot of work to do tomorrow, but after that, we have a little break. Trust me, we’ll make sure we see you before the week is over. Okay?”

“I’d like that,” I whisper.

His phone vibrates, and he glances at the screen. “Rhett’s here.”

I make a move to get up, but he places a hand on my shoulder. “Stay in bed. I’ll turn off the lights and make sure your front door is locked.”

“Thank you.”

He gets up, plants a lingering kiss on my head, and moves toward the door.

“Wait. Elliot?”

“Hmm?”

“I really like you. Like, really really like you.”

With a soft smile, he says, “I really really like you too, Wren.”

And then he’s gone. I barely hear the sound of the front door closing behind him. The last thought I have before falling asleep again is that for the first time in a while, I finally feel... happy.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT HAPPY FEELING doesn’t last.

It would’ve been enough to get me through work if I didn’t wake up to a text from my mom saying she’s going to be in town for the next few days. And that she wants to meet for dinner tonight.

My shift goes by way too fast, and before I know it, I’m saying goodbye to Ava and trudging home. Going out with my mom is the last thing I want to do, especially since she’ll probably harass me about Adam again, but how am I supposed to say no?

At least she said she’s alone. I refuse to be in the same room as my stepdad. Not after...

I shiver. Don’t think about it, Wren. Don’t do that to yourself.

Once I’m home, I go through my post-work routine of showering, flopping onto my bed and scrolling through my phone in just a towel, and then scrounging around in the kitchen for a snack.

All it does is remind me that I need to get myself some dishes. And potentially a roommate. No. No, moving into a smaller apartment is the better bet, I think. Or maybe I could get a job in graphic design that pays better.

Could I? Could I actually do it?

I’d probably have to make myself a portfolio, but that’s simple enough. I can work on it here and there in my free time. But would that do? I only have a minor in graphic design, since I majored in English. But at least I have a college degree, so companies won’t turn me down because of a lack of one.

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