The Girl Next Door - Emma Hart Page 0,31

kitchen, so that meant Anna had gone to bed.

Thank God.

As she’d promised, she’d put a pillow and blanket on the sofa for me, and she’d even added a phone charger.

Great.

I was never living this one down as far as she was concerned.

I had a clean basket of laundry that I hadn’t put away, so I quickly changed into some clean boxers and some shorts and retreated to my makeshift bed for the night.

In related news, I really fucking needed a new sofa.

It was total shit.

I didn’t bother charging my phone. Everyone who needed me was in this apartment, so I spent the next twenty minutes tossing and turning on the sofa, trying to get comfortable.

I couldn’t.

I lay on my back and threw my arm over my eyes. I was going to sleep in my truck if I couldn’t get comfortable. This sofa simply wasn’t long enough for someone who was over sex feet tall.

“Kai?” A croaky voice that sounded suspiciously like Ivy floated in my direction.

I jerked up. “Ivy?”

She rubbed her left eye with her fist, and a gentle light from my bedroom illuminated her figure. Her hair hung loosely around her shoulders, and her body was swamped by a Montana Bears hockey t-shirt that had to be at least ten years old.

Jesus Christ, why did she have to wear one of my shirts?

I knew she wasn’t feeling great, but she looked so fucking hot.

“Why are you on the sofa?” she asked, sleep making her voice thick.

“You were asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you. I didn’t, did I?”

She shook her head. “I just—I just wanted some water.”

“I got it.” I threw the blankets aside and stalked into the kitchen. “Do you want it cold?”

She nodded, stifling a yawn.

I grabbed a bottle from the fridge and cracked the top for her. She took it gratefully, and I got a bottle for myself before I closed the door.

Ivy took several small sips, and I didn’t miss how she winced between each one as if she was waiting to throw up again.

“Are you all right?” My tone was hesitant, but I wasn’t sure how she was feeling. Sure, she was tired, but she was probably really mad at me.

And she deserved to be.

Ivy nodded, screwing the cap back on her water bottle. “Just thirsty.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I can go back to my place if you want.”

“No, don’t be stupid. Stay here. It’s fine, honestly.” The apology sat on the tip of my tongue, almost vibrating with the need to be spoken, but she looked so exhausted I couldn’t bring myself to say anything other than I needed to.

“Okay. Thank you.” She turned back to my room, holding tight to her bottle.

I went to the sofa again and perched on the edge, reaching for the remote.

“What are you doing?”

I peered over at her. “I can turn it off if it’ll disturb you,” I said, motioning to the TV.

“No, I meant why are you sleeping there? On the sofa?”

“I didn’t want to wake you up. Also, Anna threatened me.”

Ivy’s lips tugged sadly to one side. “I’m not going to kick you out of your bed, Kai. Besides, I’m already awake.”

“Well, I think you should stay here tonight, so I’m happy to sleep here.”

She dropped the arm holding her bottle and walked over to me. Her fingers curled around mine, and she dragged me across the living room toward my bedroom. “Don’t get any ideas,” she muttered, letting go of my hand as we reached the door.

“Are you sure?”

“Damn it, Kai. I’m too tired to fight with you right now and my throat feels like someone’s slashed it with a razorblade,” she said tiredly. “Either you sleep in here with me or I go home.”

I stepped into my bedroom and closed the door.

“Thank you.” She returned to the bed. “I really didn’t want to walk across the hall. This bed is closer.” She put the bottle of water on the nightstand and crawled under the covers, wrapping herself up like a burrito.

I hesitated. “Do you want me to put on a shirt?”

“I really don’t care,” she murmured. “Wear a hot dog suit if you want. Just be quiet.”

Well, all right then.

I pulled off my shorts and climbed in the other side of the bed, lying on my back. Ivy reached out and turned off the lamp on the nightstand, swamping the room in darkness. It took a long moment for my eyes to adjust, and I traced the shape of the