26. Wash My Hair

Later that night, Valerie tucked Landon in and watched him sleep. He looked peaceful, and Valerie smiled to herself. She felt a need to thank Antonio, to let him know how much his gesture meant to her. He wasn’t as bad as she had thought. He didn’t have to take her out, but he did. She checked on Landon once more before stepping out, closing the door gently behind her. The hallway was quiet; the plush carpet muffled Valerie’s footsteps as she made her way toward where she knew Antonio would be. Her pulse quickened with each step, the excitement of their earlier escapades mingling with an unfamiliar flutter in her stomach. What was this feeling? Nervousness? Anticipation? She shook her head, dismissing the thoughts. “Relax, Valerie,” she muttered under her breath. “Just say thank you and move on.” She paused at the threshold of Antonio’s room, her gaze sweeping over the neatly made bed. Empty. No sign of him. She frowned. Maybe he was in the bathroom. He did say he was going to take a s