Chapter 11 Maybe I Have Finally Lost It

• The morning sunlight peeked through my hotel window, soft and lazy, coaxing me out of sleep. I blinked, squinting at the clock. It was early—too early for someone who had spent most of last night lying awake, thinking about Mr. Thorne. Not that I wanted to admit it, but ever since yesterday, he had been on my mind like some damn itch I couldn’t scratch.
• I threw back the covers, groaning as I pulled myself out of bed. After a quick shower, I threw on jeans and a loose blouse, trying not to overthink it. Not that Mr. Thorne would care what I looked like; he probably barely noticed I existed beyond the fact I happen to be the girl he is currently in a contract marriage with.
• Brushing a few stray hairs back, I took a deep breath, giving myself a final once-over in the mirror. “Okay,” I whispered to my reflection, trying to psych myself up. “Just... play it cool.” After yesterday’s weirdly cozy beach day, I wasn’t even sure how to act around Mr. Thorne. But it was fine. Back to business as usual, right? Surely, he would be the same no-nonsense Mr. Thorne, and I just needed to remember that. He was definitely not the type to be caught up in any kind of romance, least of all with someone like me. But the way my heart raced every time he so much as looked in my direction yesterday? Well, that was my problem, not his.