Page 107 of Countdown

“Totally.”

“But you’re fine?”

He hesitated. “Tell you what, go get your shower, I’ll get mine, and let’s meet on the couch.”

A relieved breath slipped from her. “I like that plan.”

Twenty minutes later, dressed in sweats and a long-sleeved T-shirt so thoughtfully provided by Penny, she emerged to find Vince on the couch, socked feet up on the ottoman, television on.

She sat beside him, suddenly nervous for some reason, but also glad he was with her.

“They have a smart TV here, which is awesome,” he told her. “I found a movie for us to watch. My favorite. I think you’ll like it.”

“I might fall asleep in the middle of it.” Actually, she’d be surprised if she made it through the opening credits.

“That’s the whole point.”

“Ah, gotcha.” She pulled her feet up under her and got comfortable. “I think I’m going to move to Florida. Key West to be specific.”

He paused the movie and turned to her. “I’m sorry, what?”

“I’ve never been there before, but it’s as far south as you can go and still be in the US, so it’s got to be warm, right?”

He laughed and wrapped an arm around her shoulder to pull her next to him. “Yes, it’s warm there.”

It was quite acceptably warm tucked right there next to him. She might not need Florida after all. “You’ve been?”

“A few times.”

After a second’s pause, she said, “I’m scared I’m going to have nightmares.”

He fell silent, then tugged her a little tighter against him. “I know the feeling.”

She lifted her head and caught his gaze. “Really?”

“Guys have nightmares too.”

“Yeah,” she said, her voice soft. “I’m sorry you got all caught up in this.”

“I wouldn’t have been anywhere else, Raina. I’m finding comfort in your presence.” He took a deep breath and blew it out. “Right after Eden died, I kept replaying her death in my dreams. Even though I didn’t see it happen, I could envision it. I didn’t sleep through the night without waking up in a sweat for about two years. Finally, with some counseling and the understanding of how the gaslighted person’s mind works—and a lot of prayer—I was able to move on. I’m not saying I don’t have regrets or wish things had turned out differently, I’m just saying that I don’t dream about it anymore ... much. Every so often something triggers it.”

“And you think what we just got through will.”

“Yeah.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. “You’re a special man, Vince Covelli.”

“As are you, Raina Price. Well, a special woman. You’re definitely not a man.”

She laughed and he unmuted the television. WhileThe Fugitiveplayed and Dr. Richard Kimble ran for his life to find the evidence to clear his name, she breathed in the fresh scent of the man beside her, thinking she was finally right where she belonged.

When she glanced up, he looked down and kissed the tip of her nose, then leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

Hours later when the resort lights filtered through the blinds, Raina stirred. She was stretched out on the couch, head on a soft pillow and a warm blanket wrapped around her.

And Vince was nowhere to be seen.

She sat up, stomach rumbling, reminding her it was still on eastern time and was ready for some food.

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