You stay

Several times you psych yourself up to leave but can't bring yourself to do it. You can't leave Alice when there is a chance to stay with her and maybe it's the whiskey but the shock and terror of having your secret exposed is giving way to a budding excitement. for the first time you're daring to hope that this could actually be real.

You try to stay up late enough to confront Alice when she comes home but you were coming off a five hour time difference from the negotiations in London and by midnight you had nodded off on the couch. Despite your turmoil you sleep soundly. You were completely exhausted.

You wake late the next morning to the smell of coffee and pancakes wafting down from the kitchen. When you first wake up you're confused at your surroundings for a moment before remembering why you weren't in your soft bed. All at once you throw off the blanket you were under. You had slept in your travel clothing which feels grimy on your skin. You look around for something to change into but you must have left your suitcase upstairs.

You look up at the door and gulp. It isn't too late to just leave but you'd given up your ability to do so without confronting Alice. You set your resolve and climb the stairs.