His dad was in the military, like mine, which meant Eli was used to bouncing around, never really planting roots. Similar to me. I think that’s why he held on to me so tightly, and in turn, I held on to him. He was the first person I ever trusted and confided in about my mom. We lost her when I was five, while my dad was on deployment. She was delivering Ava, my baby sister, and there were…complications.
Which was the reason why it was hard on my dad when I first told him about Eli and me enlisting. Eli talked about enlisting after high school graduation, following in his dad’s footsteps, for as long as I could remember. Eli was first in line to sign up when the recruiter came, and I was second. My dad wasn’t happy, seeing his only son leave and remembering the loss of his wife. It was a lotwe both had to work through. In the end, he understood the bond Eli and I had, and he knew I needed to do it. It was something he and I both needed to work through our loss by facing our fears. I appreciated him and his support because it was the best decision I could’ve made. The Marines broke me down, built me back up, and showed me what kind of man I wanted to be. I came out stronger, sharper, and more focused.
Eli’s blue eyes meet mine through the rim of his black glasses while running a hand through his dirty blonde hair. He’s giving me that puppy dog eye like Jake does when he wants more peanut butter. The guy is built like an offensive lineman, with a wide chest, broad shoulders, and muscular arms. I’ve seen him take down five guys without batting an eye, but he’s a big teddy bear, and when he wants something, he will turn on the charm.
Shit, I can feel myself caving.
Staring out into the backyard, I try to think up a polite excuse to get out of this weird request. I had been thinking about tonight all day. I just wanted to relax and decompress on one of the rare, quiet evenings I’d had in a long time—no exams looming, no shifts at the hospital, no obligations. Yet, here I am discussing a potential kidnapping ruse with my best friend.
“It’s going to be hilarious,” Eli says. “She’s obsessed with those dark romance books—kidnapping tropes, mafia boyfriends, all that. She’ll love it.”
“You want me to commit a felony for laughs?” I ask, staring at him like he’s lost his damn mind.
“It’s not a felony if it’s consensual,” Eli shoots back, all smug confidence and zero sense. “Besides, she’s expecting it. Think of it like immersive role play.”
I blink at him. “Immersive—? You’ve officially lost it.”
He just grins, like this is the most normal conversation in the world.
“Why can’t you do it then?” My tone comes out equal parts confused and weary.
“Because she’ll spot me coming a mile away,” he says, like that’s obvious. “She won’t recognize you. You guys haven’t actually met.” He pauses, then smirks. “Which, by the way, is blasphemous considering you’re my best friend. But I’ll give you a pass, ‘cause I know your rotation with Dr. Owens is brutal right now.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, already regretting letting him get this far into the pitch.
“And,” he adds, leaning back like he’s about to drop the final piece of his master plan, “I don’t really know the layout of her hometown yet, so I need time to prepare.”
I don’t respond because, well, I don’t know how to.
“Think of it as a vacation.”
“A vacation?”
“Yeah, I’ll get you a little Airbnb near Main Street. It’s the Christmas in the Falls kick off this weekend, it’ll be a good getaway from the hospital and residency applications.”
“Right,” I deadpan. “Because nothing says a nice, relaxing vacation like accidental kidnapping charges.”
* * *
Everything made sense that night. Eli gave an enticing offer. Though maybe it was the two IPAs buzzing through my system—because right now, I’m questioning why in the hell I agreed to this ridiculous plan.
5
Charlie
My head hit the side of the window as the car turned, hitting a pothole. “Ouch,” I mumble beneath my breath. We must be leaving the parking lot. My mind replays the event, trying to remember any clue that could help me put together an escape plan.
I had finished my call with the girls and was putting away my phone before continuing my walk to The Lantern Nook. I looked down for a second when his arms came around my chest and a hand covered my mouth. Strong arms, great forearms—okay, so I felt him up a bit when he was hauling me toward the alleyway nestled between an empty storefront and commercial real estate office. It was the storefront I was going to check out for my bakery, which made sense why he dragged me behind the building toward the empty lot.
I remember a car, a blue electric sedan that I didn’t recognize. I know everyone in town, andno onedrives an electric car in this town. It only means one thing—this guy is definitely an out-of-towner.
I need to figure out how to get free. I have never been good with keeping calm under pressure. I usually overreact and this might be one of those situations that I should overreact. Maybe if I’m unhinged enough, he won’t want to keep me. If I am going to pull off this plan, I have to act like I want to be here. Trick him into believing this is the best thing to ever happen to me. Reverse psychology, baby. Classic.
Crossing my legs, I prepare my arsenal with all the unrealistic dark romance stories I have read while praying my sister notices I am gone and doesn’t chalk up my being late as a normal “Charlie event.” I start with step one of my plan. Distraction via conversation.
“Okay, so let’s just address the elephant in the room,” I say, putting more chipper in my tone than I had. “You, mysterious masked man, have literally every red flag I could possibly want in a book boyfriend. Kidnapping, check. Silent and broody, check.”
I wiggle to adjust the sack over my head from tickling my nose, waiting for any signs of life from him. Nothing. Not even a grunt.
