29

Brandon is still serenely asleep when I go back to my room at four in the morning. I need to pack my things for the trip, and I don’t want to disturb him.

I hadn’t felt so safe sleeping with someone next to me for a while, other than my mother, but something inside me just doesn’t want to surrender all. I had to move out of the room, at least for the night.

The sky is clear and sunny as I go out at six. Oliver is standing next to a black SUV, settling the luggage inside. He’s dressed in a casual polo shirt, khaki shorts, and a pair of brown leather topsiders.

“Good morning, Ollie.” I approach him. My voice is still croaky.

“Wow, someone’s happy,” he remarks. Taking my suitcase, he shoves it into the compartment.

“That’s a lot of baggage. I thought we were only going to stay for a night and two days?”

“Betty’s coming too, but we’re going to meet her later.” He shuts the compartment door. “You ready?” He grins.

“Yes, where’s Brandon?”

“He’s inside the car. Get in.”

Oh. I didn’t notice h