Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Chapter 69

"Sherilyn?" Gilbert called out, tempted to shake Sherilyn awake and get straight answers. "Come on, stop playing possum! Let's talk this out!"

"Ugh, so loud!" Sherilyn groaned, swatting the air as if to shoo him away. "I want to sleep."

Was she annoyed with him?

Gilbert couldn't help but laugh despite himself. Why was he even arguing with someone. three sheets to the wind? "You're just crashing here? Don't you want a shower first?"

"A shower?" Sherilyn seemed to struggle with the concept, her thoughts as clear as mud. Surprisingly, she leaned closer to Gilbert.

"Do I stink?" she asked, her face inches from his, their noses almost touching.

Gilbert's heart skipped a beat. What was she up to? He backed away slightly, his voice. faltering, "Just... talk properly, will you?"

But it was as if she hadn't heard him. Pulling at her shirt collar, she insisted, "Come on, smell. I'm not stinky, right?"

caved, playing along. "Yeah, you smell just fine. Like

now? I don't need a shower. I'm just, um, naturally fragrant. I'm off to bed!" She raised her hand, waving lazily at him.

stuttering out

steady breathing filled the room. Sherilyn had

stared down at her, her cheeks flushed with the warmth of alcohol, a smile tugging at

he reached toward her face, stopping short as he

What w

he doing? Was he seriously about to caress Sherilyn? Had he lost his mind? Abruptly, he stood and fled the room as if the hounds of hell were on his heels. Staying calm, he reminded himself. There was no way he could fall for Sherilyn, not after all this time, not when their marriage had started on such indifferent terms. It was a moment of

Sherilyn stirred awake, her first venture into hard liquor leaving its mark. Rubbing her temples, she noticed

accessory? Whose could it be? Flashes of the previous night

mouth in shock.

But that seemed impossible.

had been too gentle, too kind. Gilbert could never be like that. It had to be Yates. After all, Yates had brought her back

she grabbed her room