I chuckled. “Really? Why am I not surprised?”
He rubbed the tip of his nose with his thumb, grinning. “How are you?”
“I’m okay, Damon. Thank you. Really.”
He nodded. “Let me know if you need anything. Let’s go, Burp.”
The dog plopped on the floor, refusing to move. I smiled as I watched Damon shake his head, nudging Burp through the door.
When they left, I dropped back on my bed, letting out a long sigh. I felt guilty dragging Damon into my mess when he was just being a good friend.
Another dream of Caleb. Another piercing stab in the chest.
Today. I will talk to him today.
Easier said than done, I reflected, my chest tightening at the memory of Caleb’s cold eyes. Forcing myself to stop thinking about it, I climbed out of bed and followed the smell of coffee and the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked bread to the kitchen. I usually woke up hungry, but this morning I had no appetite.
I found Kara in the kitchen, pouring coffee into a mug.
“Good morning,” I greeted her, walking to the cupboard to grab a mug.
Kara was usually grumpy or quiet in the mornings, replying in snarls or grunts and monosyllables until she had a few hits of caffeine. After getting her fix, she’d be a flurry of energy.
She grunted, looking sleepy and irritated as she stood in front of the sink and stared out the window. She sipped her coffee quietly.
“I met Burp,” I said.
“Uh.”
I poured hot water in my mug, dumping a green tea bag into it. “How did those two get in?”
“Huh.”
I waited. It usually took two cups of coffee for her to wake up. I smiled to myself as I watched her blink, the glaze of sleepiness and irritation in her eyes disappearing as the caffeine woke her system. This must have been her second cup. “Damon knows where I keep the key to the apartment,” she replied.
“He does?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Why?”
I probably shouldn’t have asked. It was none of my business, but I wanted to focus on something else besides Caleb. I would go crazy if I didn’t.
“Why? This”—she waved a croissant in my face—“this is one of the many reasons.” She took a bite, moaning. “God. Antoinette’s croissants give me a foodgasm every time. Have one.”
I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re always hungry in the morning. Oh no, don’t tell me you had a nightmare about Beatrice-Rose.”
I wish. It would be better if my nightmares were about her. At least I wouldn’t have this gaping hole in my chest every time I woke up.
I didn’t answer.
“You know, Ver, I’ve been thinking. Beatrice-Rose kind of smells like a toilet,” Kara mused. “A toilet that didn’t completely flush.”
I chuckled.
“You know, I’m all about you and Caleb making babies, but come on! Tonight is your exam, isn’t it? Did you study?”