Attraction

31.

I awake from my sleep from the knocking at front door, as I sit up in bed I notice Paul isn't laying next to me. The rain pours down hard as I slowly walk down the hallway and into the living room as I get closer to the front door- the knocking continues.
My feet carry me passed the couch and I pause as I look around in the kitchen. Where is Paul? Maybe he went out for a jog and forgot his house key so he had to wake me up to let him in. I slowly walk to the front door as the knocking continues— I place my hand on the doorknob as I slowly begin to turn it as I open the front door. I see a figure not facing me, it's back is to me and it's wearing a dark hood.

"Paul?" I ask softy, the figure slowly turns around to face me and my stomach drops— Dylan.

I jolt awake in bed as I try to catch my breath, my eyes frantically scan the sunny bright bedroom as I feel Paul touch my arm trying to calm me down.

"Hey, hey, it's okay—you're safe" His words are comforting as I bury my head in his chest as he wraps his arms around me. He lays back against the pillow as I steady my breathing— it was only a dream. I haven't dreamt of Dylan or even thought about what happened in a month so how could I just casually have a nightmare about any of this... Maybe my subconscious is trying to work through what happened. I sit up in bed and quickly run my fingers through my hair as Paul snakes his arm around my waist.

"Where are you going?" He mumbles sleepily.

"I want to go back to work tonight. I'm feeling better." I try to sound confident.

I get out of bed as Paul groans into the pillow making me chuckle at his messy bed head.

"Come back here, I wasn't finished cuddling with you" I smile at his words.

"But I want to go make coffee" I say as I quickly walk to the kitchen.

"Mmm..." Paul groans from the bedroom. I laugh.

"Will...."

"How do you want your coffee?" I call out from the kitchen as I put some coffee grinds into the filter.

"Just black today" Paul answers.

I make my way back down the hallway as I start the shower, if I can take a quick enough shower the coffee should be done as soon as I get out.
After I wrap my body in a towel I get dressed in a warm pair of sweats and one of Paul's t shirts, he's already out of bed. As I walk in the kitchen, Paul sits at the table with his cup of coffee— he notices me and his eyes seem to light up happily. I fix myself a cup of coffee in a yellow mug as I sit across from Paul at the table.

"Are you really feeling better?" He asks me.

"Yes, that's why I think I can go back to work now"

"Just be safe... I don't want anything happening" The protectiveness in his tone makes me feel more eased that tonight will be okay.

"I'll be fine" I smile reassuringly.

But I know they haven't caught Dylan yet, if they had it would be plastered all over the news and I would have been notified. I try not to think about the fact that they haven't caught him... After moving in with Paul I had to call my mom and explain to her the entire situation. She was obviously frantic and horrified, immediately wanting to get on a plane and come to see me but I convinced her it would be safe if she stayed in Colorado for now until they catch Dylan. She's been texting me a lot recently just to check in— I can't say I blame her. My wound has healed nicely and I feel confident that I can go back to work tonight, I don't see why not.
Paul and I watch some tv before he goes to work— after he leaves I decide on making myself lunch and cleaning up the house before I go into work. I should probably call Andrea and tell her that I'm feeling ready to come back now. I pick up my cellphone and wait for her to answer as the line rings.