Page 10 of Ever After

“Really? What made you decide to talk to me then?”

“I don’t know. When you sat down, I felt something. I don’t know what it was or how to explain it. You looked happy and sad all at the same time. I guess I wanted to figure it out.”

What if I stay with him and he thinks I’ll sleep with him?I’m not in the right state of mind to do that. I’m not even in the right state of mind to even be spending time with someone let alone think about being intimate with someone.

“If I stay with you, you better not expect sex because I’m not—”

“Do you think that’s what I want?” he asks, cutting me off.

“Isn’t that what every guy wants?”

“Not me.” He shakes his head at me. “I mean, sure you’re beautiful, and I would have a hard time saying no if you came on to me. Trust me though, I respect women more than that,” he explains. “I’d genuinely like to help you sort this out once you get some rest.”

“Are you going to think badly of me if I stay over, given the situation I’m in now?”

“Not at all. I’ve been where you are. What helped me most was keeping my mind busy and hanging out with friends. I hope I kept your mind busy tonight. I was trying to, anyway.”

My heart drops a little. He doesn’t even know me, and he cared enough to hang out with me, so I would forget about what Aiden did.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yes, I’m surprised, I guess. I didn’t know that’s what you were doing. It was nice of you, Jay.” The cold from the AC sends a shiver rolling through me as we enter his hotel. The lobby is empty apart from the woman at the front desk.

“Do you want to stay with me or would you be more comfortable if we ask about getting your own space?”

“I’ll stay with you. I need some clothes anyway.” Looking down at myself. “I guess yours will do,” I say jokingly.

He laughs and shakes his head. “Already stealing my clothes.”

“What can I say?”

Once we get to his room, he opens the door for me. I walk in, surprised at how clean it is. The floor is spotless. The only thing sitting on the ground is his suitcase. Usually, my clothes are all over the place; he’s clearly tidier than I am. Walking over to the balcony, I set my purse down and gaze out at the ocean. It’s so beautiful with the morning sun shining down on it. I glance below us and see the pool. There are only a few people out swimming laps for their morning workout. The sunrise is lighting up the sky even more now. Sunrises and sunsets always put me in a good mood.

I turn around and ask, “Do you mind if I take a shower?”

“No, go ahead. My T-shirts will be a little long if you want to wear one of those.” He hands me one of his black T-shirts.

I reach over and grab it from him. “That’ll work.”

Once I’m in the bathroom, I undress. My bra and underwear are still soaking wet. There’s no way I can put them on after I shower. I didn’t think about this part. This is going to be awkward.

I step out of the shower and grab the towel hanging off the towel rack. I dry myself off and throw on Jay’s T-shirt, feeling bare in front of a stranger without my bra and underwear. I open the door and find Jay making himself a bed on the floor.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Making a bed for myself.”

I walk over closer to him. “No, I should sleep on the floor. I’m putting you out way too much tonight. I can’t let you do that.”

“It’s fine. You can take the bed,” he says. “Really, I don’t mind.”

“We both need rest. Why don’t we both sleep in the bed? I’m sure it will be fine. We are both adults.” He gives me a questionable look.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. It’s fine. I’ll put a pillow between us.”

He grabs the pillow and blankets he had on the floor and throws them on the bed.

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