Page 37 of Erik's Salvation
After a quick wipe with an alcohol pad across her finger, she pressed the lancet device to her skin and pricked herself before putting her bloodied finger on the strip. She knew she was low, she just wanted to knowhowlow.
The number popped up and she groaned. Seventy-three. Not the worst but definitely time for some breakfast. Then she’d retest and dose if necessary.
She snatched up her phone before going to the kitchen, where she grabbed some oatmeal, milk, peanut butter, and blueberries. Post-alcohol Hannah just wasn’t feeling the cereal this morning.
Her phone vibrated on the counter, and she looked down to see a string of messages from Henry and Brigid. Her lips curved at the last one.
Henry: Of course, she’s in bed with him. What else would she be doing after a night of screwing the guy?
Jesus. She could just imagine the messages that had come before that one. All about sex and Erik. Well, they were going to be sorely disappointed. No wild sex. Minimal touching. Not even a kiss.
Still, her heart beat a bit faster at the memory of him standing between her and Marco. She’d been angry, but there’d also been other emotions at play. Emotions she hadn’t let the man see but had made her belly twist and tangle. He’d been protecting her. Hell, he’d stormed into the bar to do just that.
How long had it been since a man had defended her?
But God, he was confusing. What did he want? And why did she apparently like dangerous guys so much? She hadn’t dated much in her twenty-three years, but the men she was attracted to were all rough edges, hard lines…and they almost always had something in their pasts that had hurt them.
Her phone continued to light up with message after message as she cooked her oats.
Brigid: Big biceps do not equate to small cocks. Just look at James.
Oh God. She did not need to know about the size of James’s penis. She lifted the phone.
Hannah: Guys, there was no wild sex. He walked me to the door and said good night.
Henry: Boo! That’s no fun.
Brigid: Noooo…I was so excited for the debrief.
She laughed. They probably would have rushed to her house with popcorn and wine if she’d given them the green light.
She shot a look at the time. Nine a.m. Her first open house at Angelo’s place was in an hour. She needed to get ready. There were a couple more open houses tomorrow as well, which she was fine with. Everyone knew real estate agents didn’t get weekends. Well, not if they wanted to sell homes.
She ate her oats quickly and had just shoved the last mouthful in when another message came through. Her heart thrashed against her ribs when she saw who it was from.
Erik: I hope you’re feeling okay today, Angel. Drink plenty of water and look after your insulin levels. I left something for you at the front door.
Her head shot up. Almost on autopilot, she moved out of the kitchen, through the small living room, and tugged the door open.
She couldn’t stop the small smile from crossing her face.
Frosted Flakes.
She lifted the box, biting her bottom lip to stop the smile from spreading. It wasn’t until she was back in her kitchen that she realized it had been opened. She lifted her phone to text him back.
Hannah: I may not have said it explicitly, but the deal was for a full box of cereal, Mr. Hunter.
Erik: Open it.
She frowned but lowered the phone to the counter and did as he requested. Her breath caught at what she saw.
There, taped inside the top flap, was the charm Nico had given her.
She tugged the tape off and held the charm in her palm, tracing the curves of the cloud with her gaze. With the headache and the messages, she’d almost forgotten about this. God, how had she forgotten?
Hannah: Where was it?
Erik: In the dirt by the car.
