Page 24 of Death, Interrupted

He exhaled and let his head hang low, looking defeated. But then he agreed with a nod. “Okay.”

“And you won’t follow me around.”

He pursed his lips. “I’ll have to think about that.”

“Sly. I mean it. No stalking. Not that you’re very good at it anyway.”

“Fair enough.”

“No stalking,” I repeated.

He pressed his lips together, jaw tightening. “Fine.”

“If we bump into each other somewhere,” I said, “we say hello and that’s it. We don’t turn it into a conversation.”

“Got it.”

“And if I tell you to leave, you leave. Noarguments.”

“Yup.”

It seemed like he was learning about boundaries for the first time, and to be fully honest, it was adorable. Even if he was a grown man, Sly had something youthful about him. It pulled me to him when all I wanted was to keep my distance. That’s why these boundaries had to be created. He was truly listening to me, which didn’t help with my attraction for him.

No. Scratch that. No attraction.

I couldn’t be attracted to him.

Not this soon.

We stood there in silence again, just two people who had briefed each other on what would or wouldn’t happen next. And I was pretty happy with the outcome.

“Okay, then.” I gave him a tight smile and picked up my basket. “Have a good day.”

He frowned, showing just how unhappy he was with my decision to end this conversation so abruptly. His body tensed as he battled with himself, trying to fight the urge to protest, then he nodded once and said, “You too.”

I looked at him for another second before turning away and leaving him in the aisle. I didn’t look back. Didn’t check if he was following me. I just went to checkout and left the store with just the security of knowing he had my back whenever I needed it.

That was enough for now. It had to be.

Chapter 9

Sumner

I went home with one plan: clear out Joey’s closet and take my clothes back to my apartment. I’d kept half my wardrobe at his place for years. Every time I thought about moving it, I backed off. Leaving him wasn’t simple. Doing it now, after everything, was.

I put the groceries on the counter, pulled two trash bags from under the sink, and went straight to the bedroom. I didn’t look around the house for long. My focus was the closet. I slid the door open and stared at the line of hangers that had felt permanentfor too long. I took three slow breaths and made myself start with all the jeans hanging there. They went into the duffel without a pause. The sweaters were next, then the few dresses that annoyed him whenever I wore them. He hated when I dressed up or put on makeup, never once acknowledging the time or care I put into it. Looking back, I’m ashamed I spent that effort on him instead of doing it for myself.

Around midday, my phone rang. It was a hospital number, and I almost let it go to voicemail. They had my name on the file as an emergency contact and would keep calling. So, I answered.

“Hello, this is Sumner.”

“Hi, this is Dr. Lenkova from the neurology floor at St. Seren’s. I’m calling about Mr. Elrod. Are you able to quickly verify your name and your relationship to the patient?”

I wanted to tell her no. That I had no idea who this Mr. Elrod was. But still had a heart in my chest, and deep down wasn’t a bad person.

“Uh, yeah. Sumner Ellis. I’m listed as his emergency contact and am his—washis partner.”

“I see.” I heard her type something in the background while she kept her tone professional. “I’m just calling to let you know what’s going to happen next.”