Chapter 34: Already Taken

After dinner, I made sure Nicole went to bed early.

She'd started feeling better and wanted to stay up a little longer, but I wasn't taking any chances. She was still recovering, and after spending most of the day sick, she needed the rest more than she needed another late-night conversation. She wasn't exactly happy about going to bed early, and she even gave me a pout before finally giving in.

Once she was settled in bed, I cleaned up the kitchen before heading to one of the guest rooms for the night.

I woke up earlier than I expected the next morning. After taking a bath in the guest room, I put on the same clothes I'd worn the day before since I hadn't brought anything with me.

I didn't bother checking if Nicole was awake. If anything, I was hoping she wasn't. After spending most of the previous day sick, she could use the extra sleep.