Sadie had called in early that morning, telling Hardin she’d be off work for a few days. That meant he could finally breathe—and maybe do something useful for once.And when was a better time to meet Natasha than today?He’d gotten her number last night after the guys told him to keep her away from Sadie for now.Running a comb through his hair in front of the mirror, he dialed her number.“Hey. Do you remember me? Hardin,” he said. “Got your number last night.”“Yeah, I remember,” she replied. “It’s a bit early for strangers to be calling, don’t you think?”“You busy?”“Basically in the bathroom,” she said, voice echoing. “Had to answer your call thinking it was someone important.”“You don’t take your phone into the bathroom, do you?”“Water-resistant.”He could hear splashing on the other end.Hardin chuckled under his breath. “Good to know you and your phone both like danger.”“It feels kind of weird imagining I’m talking to a woman in the bathroom,” Hardin said, grinning to himse

For the past five hours, Sadie’s mind hadn’t rested. She couldn’t stop replaying what had happened — how she didn’t know herself anymore, couldn’t control herself when those sleepwalking episodes came. And for some twisted reason, she’d thought she could help Charles heal.Heal him of his past? She almost laughed at herself. What kind of delusion was that?She’d already booked a trip to Seattle to see the therapist — but she hadn’t told Charles yet. Right now, they were on their way to see her grandmother.“Is your hand… okay?” she finally asked, cutting through the silence that had been weighing on them.Charles lifted his bandaged hand slightly. “I can manage. Even though right now, I can’t feel it.”She turned to him sharply, worried.“I’m kidding,” he said quickly, stealing a glance at her. “You sure you’re fine?”“Do I look bad?”“A little pale,” Charles admitted. “Your grandma might roast my ass if she thinks I’m mistreating you.”Sadie smiled faintly. “She won’t.”Charles clear