48|Human Heart

Marybeth had told Austin she wasn't planning to wait up for him, but sometime after midnight, when the front door beeped open, she was still wide awake, tossing and turning, thinking about everything she'd learned from Liliana and Zukiswa.

She heard Austin's footsteps as he trod up the stairs, stopping in Orlando's room before he circled back down the hall.

A minute passed, maybe two, and still no sign of the man. So she kicked off the covers and padded out of the room.

She found him rummaging through the linen cupboard, the dim light in the hallway casting his shadow on the walls.

"What's going on?" she asked, leaning on the door frame.

Austin turned and smiled, "what are you doing up?"

She ignored him, pointing at the pillow and blanket in his hands, "what's with that?"

"Oh, this?" he shrugged, smiling sheepishly. "I thought I should spend the night in one of the guest rooms, you know, to give you space—"

"Why?" Marybeth frowned at him, wondering what bullshit games he was playing.