58

Today had been a long day, starting with the early morning flight that caused nothing but tension between Declan and me, followed by meetings and food and lots of drinks.

I just wanted sleep.

I wanted to be able to shut off my brain and not see him every time I closed my eyes. Not hear his voice. Not question his uncertainty.

But I had a continuous loop in my mind, thinking about what had gone wrong, replaying so many conversations, contemplating our future, analyzing his reactions. It was exhausting.

I needed a Declan manual.

I needed him to help me make sense of this.

Of … us.

But he wasn’t here.

He wanted time.

He wanted to figure out if I was worth the risk.

That thought made me feel sick.

I pulled the blanket up to my neck, and as I reached for my phone, there was a knock at the door. I had no idea who it could be. I hadn’t called housekeeping or ordered room service. I didn’t think Walter or Jenner would stop by, unannounced.

Unless the knocker had mistakenly gone to the wrong r