Night Visions (Night Series) by Elena Gray Page B

smelling nice. She wondered if Ian liked the scent of wet dog.
    Ian pushed himself away from the table. “Sorry, I was waiting for you to come out so I could grab a towel to dry her off,” he smirked as he walked to the bathroom. He stopped before he entered, flashing her the smile that melted her heart. "Maybe I should get you one, too.”
    Yeah. Maybe he should. But only if it included a shower with him.
     
    * * *
     
    Ian grabbed two towels off the shelf as he was about to leave the bathroom, a glint of silver caught his eye. He turned to the sink, where there was a pendant attached to a chain. Ian picked it up, turning it over in his palm. The same Celtic knot he had given Sam on her eighteenth birthday. He'd kept the blue box tucked in his pocket. Hidden from her until just the right moment when they were alone. Her skin smooth and warm under his hands when he clasped it around her neck.
    His fingers rubbed over the pattern. Each intricate weave of silver mirrored their intertwined souls. She swore she would never take it off. Then he kissed her. That same kiss that became their last. The one that shattered their happiness.
    Until tonight.
    "Ian, hurry up, your pizza's getting cold."
    Not wanting her to know he found the necklace, Ian replaced it on the counter. A flash of movement in the mirror caught his eye. He spun around expecting to find Sam behind him, but was alone.
    His gaze swung back to the mirror, reflecting his puzzled expression. Had he seen a remnant of the woman? Had she appeared to Sam again? His gut screamed a warning at him. Sam was keeping something from him. But only one question burned in his mind.
    Why?

CHAPTER 10
     
    Sam closed her laptop with a soft click. She placed it on the bed next to her and rubbed her eyes. The physical and emotional drain of the last few days began to weigh on her.
    Ian's eyes remained on the T.V., engrossed in an old western. Or at least he pretended to be. She caught him glancing out the window, concern lining his face.
    He hadn't said much through their meal. The strained silence forced her to do a mental retake of everything that happened. After ten minutes of a stilted conversation, she refocused on her computer, pretending to work. Pages of jumbled words littered her screen.
    So much for getting any writing done.
    "Are you expecting someone?" she asked, waving her hand toward the window.
    It was a simple question, yet he hesitated. "No. Just checking for a break in the weather." He tipped his head toward the dog. "Figured Ginger might want to go for another walk."
    Why the urgency? Ginger lay sprawled at the foot of the bed. The only running she planned to do was in her dreams.
    Her phone rumbled on the dresser. Ian dragged his gaze from the parking lot to Sam, as she stood to answer it.
    "What are you doing?"
    With a backward glance, she replied, "Answering my phone." When he lifted an eyebrow she continued, "Don't worry, I won't give away our secret location."
    Ian uncrossed his arms and leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees, ready to eavesdrop.
    Scott's name flashed across the screen on her phone. She debated letting it go to voicemail. It was easy to lie in a text, but over the phone, he would hear the deception in her voice.
    "Hello?" she asked, struggling to keep her voice steady.
    " Sam? Thank God, I've been losing my mind. Are you okay?"
    "Scott, I'm fine. Really."
    "Then why did you take off in such a hurry?"
    Because she was the worst kind of friend. Glancing down at the pen near her laptop, she cursed herself for not leaving a note. "I'm sorry I worried you. I should have called. Jason had an emergency and needed me." Not a total lie. Her eyes drifted around the room, settling on Ian. His jaw set in anger, hands fisted on his knees.
    "Tell me where you are. I'll get on the next plane and meet you."
    The guilt knife twisted deeper, the lump in her throat nearly choked her. How could she lie to him when he was so concerned for her? "No…no. You