Page 39 of Bound By the Basilisk
I sigh, sliding back under the covers and into the soft pillow. It’s a beautiful room. Out the window, the early morning light glints off the harbor and we have a brilliant view of Quest Bridge.
My eyes still drift closed and I smile, remembering the way he made me feel last night.
I’m torn from pleasant daydreams when my phone rings. I groan. “Go away.”
Erserro chuckles. “Would you like me to fetch it for you?”
“No.” I turn my face into the pillow. “They can call back later.”
Unfortunately, that’s just what they do. Right as the sumptuous room service breakfast Erserro orders is being delivered.
Stuffing a piece of toast into my mouth, I hunt down my clutch bag and find my phone. Then I wince when I see the caller ID: Super Storage.
Shit.
Already dreading it, I answer. “Hello?”
“Hello, Tamsin? This is Greg here from Super Storage. I’m glad I reached you. We’ve been trying to get a hold of you for a couple days.”
I palm my face. I know they have. I just couldn’t face calling them back. “Uh huh. Sorry about that.”
“Everything OK?” Erserro’s presence behind me feels solid. Comforting.
I nod, without speaking to him.
On the line, Greg is saying, “...payment is overdue. I’m afraid you only have twenty-four hours to make the overdue payment before we have to donate the items in your storage unit to charity.”
“Ah, sure. Look. That’s not a problem.” I check myself before I can say something that will give me away. I don’t want Erserro to know I’m worried about money. I don’t want him to feel like he has to help with this. “If you would be so kind as to send me the details again I’ll sort that out right now.”
I won’t. I’m lying. I don’t have enough in my account to cover everything I owe.
I already spent it.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“...so much, Tamsin. That’s wonderful. You’ll find an email in your inbox in a few minutes and you can give me a call back on this number if you have any problems. You have a good day, now.”
“Yeah. Same to you.” I keep my smile on my face, though inside I’m squirming. “Goodbye.”
I hang up and stuff my phone back into my clutch.
Erserro gives me a sideways look, but he says nothing when I hurry past him to the table where the server has set out our breakfast.
“This looks delicious.” I heap my plate with some of the beautiful fresh fruit and a pastry and pour myself a coffee without looking at him.
Erserro slides over and sits at the table, folding his hands in front of him.
“Would you like a croissant? They’re very good.” I hold out the plate to him.
He shakes his head. “Are you going to talk about whatever the problem is?”
I freeze, croissant half bitten in my mouth. I force a dry mouthful down my throat. “What makes you think there’s a problem?” My voice is too perky. My smile too bright. I feel like my eye is twitching.
I can’t see behind the glasses, but I can practically feel his eyes narrowing. “Tamsin.”
I sigh. “Alright, there’s a problem, but it’s fine. I’ll sort it. Don’t worry about it, OK?”
He says nothing more. Instead he reaches across the table and takes the coffee and pours himself a mug. He sips it.
