Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

She kept her eyes glued to the floor. "Should I call Aiden in to look after you?"

"You should go get some sleep. Don't worry about me."

Even as he said it, he brushed past her, heading straight for the wardrobe. But then he paused, like he'd just remembered something, and reached into the farthest corner, pulling out a bathrobe at random.

Clara couldn't tell if she was just imagining things, but for a split second, as he opened the closet, she thought she saw something oddly familiar in there.

She remembered Simon once mentioning that, in their graduation photo, she was the only one not wearing the school uniform-someone had stolen it, and she never did find out who. Was that her uniform she'd just seen in Dylan's closet? But he shut the doors so fast she didn't get a good look, just a flash of similar colors.

She wasn't about to go down that rabbit hole. The whole idea was ridiculous.

Dylan, stealing her uniform? Honestly, that didn't even sound possible-not in this lifetime, or the next three.

She snapped back to reality just in time to see Dylan about to head into the bathroom. She quickly stepped forward. "Didn't the doctor say you're not supposed to get your back wet for a month?"

He was already pushing open the bathroom door, acting like he hadn't heard a word.

Clara didn't know where her sudden frustration came from, but she rushed after him, barging right into the bathroom.

"Dylan, what's wrong with you?" she blurted. Wasn't he supposed to be the sensible one? Since when did he start ignoring doctor's orders?

She slammed the bathroom door behind her-maybe a little too hard. The door handle hit the floor with a loud clatter.

The bathroom was big, but nowhere near as spacious as the bedroom. Clara stared at the handle on the floor, cheeks burning with embarrassment. She crouched down to pick it up, tried the door, and realized it wouldn't budge. That one slam must've broken it.

She glanced up at Dylan, panicked.

He was standing in front of the mirror, eyes flicking over to the handle in her hand. He looked like he wanted to say something, but held back.

Clara quickly set the "evidence" on the sink and tried to explain herself. "Seriously, do you always buy such flimsy doors? I swear, I didn't even use that much force."

The more she spoke, the more guilty she sounded. Her voice got smaller. "Do you have your phone on you?"

The master bedroom was soundproof-no way Aiden could hear them if they yelled. Their only hope was to call for help.noveldrama

Dylan squeezed some toothpaste onto his brush, answering in his usual calm tone, "No."

Clara instantly freaked out. "Who goes to take a shower without their phone?"

Dylan paused with the toothbrush in his hand, then let out a quiet, unexpected laugh.

That's when Clara realized this was all on her. She was the one who got them stuck.

He said, "With how quick you are to shift blame, you'd make a better boss than

me."

For the first time in forever, things actually felt light between them.

Clara fell silent, leaning back against the door, trying her best to swallow the embarrassment.

Dylan didn't say another word, quietly brushing his teeth.

In the mirror, he could see her still flushed and flustered, so real and familiar-just like she used to be.

If only he could keep her around a

little

ger. It didn't matter if theet

hever saw her shine; as long was his, that was enough.

He lowered his gaze, set his toothbrush down, and splashed cold water on his

face, hoping to calm the storm of feelings inside.

Clara listened to the sound of

vel

running water and, spotting the bandages covering his back, couldn't help but remind him "Don't get your back wet."

"Mm."

Out of ideas, she walked over to the window, opened it, and looked out into the yard.

It was already late. The whole place was quiet-everyone was asleep. Not a soul

in sight.

Clara leaned halfway out, ready to shout, when she felt an arm wrap gently around her waist.

She jumped, ready to pull away, but he murmured, "Careful.”

One hand gripping the window ledge, she bit back her nerves, then finally called

out into the night, "Aiden! Aiden!"

If she could do it over, she'd never have slammed that door.

Aiden was in the living room, sipping water, when he heard someone outside. He was

answer when he heard bones

line:

"Aiden, I'm locked in the bathroom with your boss! Did you hear me?"

Well, that settled it. He decided he hadn't heard a thing.