"Don't rush!" Isabella grabbed my hand. "I haven't given you your surprise yet!"
"Oh, right!" I remembered. "What's the surprise?"
"Guess!"
"I haven't a clue." I laughed. "Just tell me."
"Okay, okay." She set down her teacup, smiling mysteriously. "Get ready for your surprise."
She waved toward a corner of the restaurant.
I followed her gaze—
My smile froze.
Lorenzo was walking over with an enormous bouquet of red roses.
No. This couldn't be happening.
He looked gaunt, his cheeks hollow, eyes sunken. What terrified me most was the obsessive gleam burning in his eyes.
"Surprise!" Isabella beamed innocently, completely oblivious to myhorrified expression. "I know you two had a misunderstanding. Lorenzo's been so worried about you, wanting to clear the air. As your mutual friend, I thought I should help you work this out!"
She sounded so reasonable, so well-meaning, yet it sent chills down my spine.
"Isabella..." I shot to my feet, the chair scraping harshly. "This... this isn't a good idea..."
"Why not?" She grabbed my hand, preventing me from leaving, eyes full of confusion. "Noelle, don't be nervous. Lorenzo just wants to talk. He means no harm. You two used to get along so well, didn't you?"
"Things are different now..."
"It's fine! You two chat, I'll pop to the ladies' room."
"Isabella!" I tried to call her back and stand to follow her, but my wrist was seized.
"Noelle."
Lorenzo set the roses heavily on the table, petals scattering. His eyes never left me, filled with long-suppressed emotion.
"You look so much better." His voice was hoarse and trembling. "I've been worried sick about you... thinking about you every single day... wondering if you're all right..."
"Lorenzo, I'm fine." I tried to keep my voice steady, taking a step back. "You don't need to worry. Your injuries... are they healing?"
"Injuries?" He laughed bitterly. "That's nothing. Nothing compared to what you've endured."
"I haven't endured anything..."
"You're still defending him!" He suddenly grew agitated. "You're clearly being held prisoner! Tormented! Why are you still protecting him?"
Other patrons began to stare. Those gazes felt like needles in my back.
"Lorenzo, please calm down." I lowered my voice. "This is a public place..."
"I don't give a damn!" He stepped closer. "Noelle, I came here today to take you away!"
"What?" I was stunned. "Lorenzo, do you hear yourself?"
"I'm perfectly lucid!" His eyes grew more frenzied. "I'll take you away from here! Away from Philadelphia! Somewhere he'll never find you!"
