Hundred and Thirty-Three

VALERIA

I opened the door and there was Vance standing there, wearing a tight smile eyeing me dubiously.

"Hello," he said. "Can I come in?"

"Of course."

I threw the door open at once and I could have sworn I heard him exhale in relief. Just before he came, I had been wondering what to do with myself. It was so nice to have company, even if it was just Vance and even though I knew Dimitri, who I was trying my damnedest not to think about was the one who had sent him. I smiled a little as Vance walked past me into the living room. It was no wonder he had looked wary when I had opened that door. He had probably been expecting me to throw him out or to tell him off like I had done Dimitri.

"What have you been doing with yourself since you got back?"

With his hands thrust into his pockets, Vance turned to face me.

I shrugged. "Just resting. Mostly."

Was he going to talk to me about returning to Dimitri's house? I sincerely hoped not. To my relief, he didn't pursue the subject. After I had