The soft hum of the air conditioning unit was the only sound in the dim hotel room when Kingsley stirred. The morning light filtered lazily through the half-closed curtains, painting warm streaks across the ceiling. He opened his eyes slowly, feeling the dull ache of a restless night weigh heavy on his chest. He sat up, rubbed his face, and reached for his phone on the nightstand.
Fifteen missed calls.
Beth.
A groan escaped his lips as he stared at the screen, the last few calls coming in around 2 a.m. He had completely forgotten to let her know he’d left town. No message, no note. Nothing. Just vanished and he forgot he had put his phone on silence when he walked inside Katherine cafe to prevent any calls distracting him.
“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, swiping to call her ba
