Caught Off Guard

“Sorry. I always associate hotels with finding my brother after he committed suicide. That’s what I think about first, last, always. Honestly, it has nothing to do with you.”

He took a step towards her, his outstretched hand offering her comfort she didn’t want to take. He started in on the normal platitudes, “I’m so sorr—”

But she cut him off before he could finish, unwilling to accept the compassion she knew would be lurking in his eyes. She didn’t deserve it. Instead she filled the silence with random words she really hadn’t meant to say. “You were amazing. More than amazing. The best sex I’ve ever had. And trust me, I’ve had plenty of sex. Good sex. Bad sex. Forgettable sex. Nothing about you is forgettable.” Her voice trailed to nothing before she finally snapped her mouth shut.

Better late than never.

“Well, I suppose that’s something. Fine, no hotel. Karyn’s place?”

“No. I am not barging in on your sister and her four-week-old marriage. The last thing she and Chris need right now is an unexpected guest.”

“You know the minute you tell her what’s happened she’s going to insist you come to her place, especially because I’m guessing she already knows about your. phobia.”

“Which is why I’m not telling her. This is my problem. I’m a big girl. I can handle this.”

He frowned. “I never said you couldn’t. But you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here and we’ll figure this out together.”

It shouldn’t matter that he was being nice and supportive. But it did. It meant a lot to her that there was someone here to … not lean on, but at least share the burden with.

And she was being nasty and snide. Sighing, she said, “I suppose you could help me secure the door. I’ll call around in the morning and see if I can get a replacement. Until then …”