[chapter twenty]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
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~Jeff's POV~
"Jeff?" A soft knock on the door rouses me from a groggy sleep. "Are you awake?"
I reach one arm out to wake Maddy, only to come up with a fistful of empty sheet.
Damn.
"Jeff? It's Joan. I have coffee."
More beautiful words have never been spoken. After getting next to no sleep last night, I could use a caffeine kick.
Granted, I'd rather stay up with Maddy all night and suffer the exhaustion any day of the week.
Where the hell is she?
"Come on in, Joan." I say, tugging the sheet up to cover myself. "Thanks."
"Here you go, hon." Joan says kindly, handing me a steaming mug of coffee. "We just got back a bit ago. Were you able to muddle through while we were gone?"
Let's see. Argued with Maddy, made up with Maddy, snuggled with Maddy…
And oh yeah, had the best sex of my entire fucking life with Maddy.
Yeah, I managed.
I nod instead, and take a sip of coffee. "Did you get back from town okay?" I ask.
"Finally, yes. The roads are being cleared now. Visibility is also much better. It's just such a shame this storm ruined your vacation."
Or saved it, considering.
"It's okay. Just getting away is a vacation of it's own." I pause, trying to figure out what to ask. "Did you…did you happen to see Madelyn?"
"Oh yes." Joan says with a smile. "She's such a nice girl. She left a while ago."
"She left?" I ask, trying to hide the dismay in my voice.
"Mm-hm. Something about a flight and wanting to leave you alone now that her interview is done."
"Oh."
"Such a nice girl. You need to find a girl like that, Jeff." Joan smiles. "If you don't mind my saying so."
Oh, I've found her alright.
And just as quickly, she's gone again.
Damn.
Now I know how she felt.
Like dirt. Just like I do right now.
Damn.