Chapter 1405
“Tell you what, I’ll swing by after your shift. It’s casual, no fuss. See you then!” Before Elyse could decline, Victor hung up. She stared at her phone, dumbfounded. How had she gone from refusing to him making plans for her?
Three sharp knocks broke her reverie. Jayden entered without waiting for a response. Elyse’s expression soured.
“Why are you here? I asked you not to just walk in. Please, leave.”
Jayden glanced towards the bed, his voice softening. “I’m feeling really low today. Can I stay here tonight? Just to share the bed.”
Elyse stood firm. “Jayden, we’re not there yet. I’m open to working things out, but it takes two.”
He didn’t seem to hear her, lying down and gently pulling her toward him. “It’s different when you’re here. I just can’t sleep alone.” In the weeks since they’d been sleeping apart, Jayden had discovered he could only rest by her side—a confession he hadn’t yet made.
After resisting for days, he finally reached his limit and approached her without pretense. “Honey, I can’t sleep without you. Please let me stay,” he implored, borrowing a line from Peyton, hoping it might sway Elyse.
Elyse felt a stir of emotion, but it wasn’t enough to change her mind. She pushed him gently but firmly, her tone laced with irritation. “No way. If I let you stay, you’ll start getting handsy. I’m not up for that.”
Jayden met her gaze, his expression earnest. “I promise, I won’t do that tonight.”
“And what if you break that promise?” Elyse challenged.
“Please trust me this time,” Jayden responded sincerely.
Elyse paused, considering his plea, and finally nodded. As they lay side by side, Jayden wrapped an arm around her, and both settled into the silence.
Remembering her earlier conversation, Elyse broke the silence. “If I get off work early tomorrow, Pearce’s friend invited me to a music party. It sounds interesting.”
Jayden considered her words, then agreed. “Okay. If you go, I’ll come and pick you up.”
Elyse murmured a thanks and tried to sleep. But just as sleep claimed her, the steady rhythm of Jayden’s breathing caught her ear. Turning to look at him, she saw he was already asleep. She whispered, bemused, “No wonder he could make that promise so easily. He really was exhausted.”