He needed to finish his conversation with Andi.
And he would. As soon as they got back inside and somewhere private.
CHAPTER
SIXTY
Standing outsidenear a cluster of confused guests with fire trucks idling nearby, Andi told herself she was relieved not to finish the conversation with Duke.
She was too tired. Had too many emotions stacked on top of each other. She didn’t want explanations and excuses right now. Yet would she be able to relax until she had them?
She knew the answer—it was a clear no.
She wanted to think Duke was trustworthy. That he’d never hurt her.
But what if she was wrong?
Was he having second thoughts about Celeste? Had she begged for him to give her another chance?
Would Duke even seriously consider that?
Andi thought he wouldn’t. But people—even people you loved—were unpredictable. And the heart sometimes took on a mind of its own.
She hated her doubts. Hated that she felt insecure right now.
But she did.
The rest of the gang wandered out also, sweatshirts pulled over their T-shirts. Some of the crew also drifted to them, and they all made chitchat as firefighters investigated the alarm.
When the all-clear finally came and they were ushered back inside, Andi tried to keep her emotions in check. There was no need to be upset—she should save her decision on that until after her conversation with Duke.
As she reached the elevator bank, something tugged at her attention, and she paused.
Rupert should have been outside with them.
He would have been loud about the inconvenience. Complaining about the disruption. Talking to the front desk, to the fire marshal, to anyone who looked remotely in charge.
Andi scanned the lobby again.
No Rupert.
She turned slowly, eyes moving from face to face. Duke was a few steps behind her, talking quietly with Ranger. Mariella and Simmy stood near the windows, phones in hand. Matthew gripped his computer, appearing as if he wanted to open the laptop and start working again.
Still no Rupert.
A flicker of unease sparked.
“Hey.” Andi paused in front of her team. “Has anyone seen Rupert?”
Mariella frowned. “No, not since right before dinner.”
Ranger shook his head. “I assumed he went back to his room.”
Andi’s pulse ticked faster. She hadn’t seen him outside during the alarm at all—which seemed so unlike him.
She turned toward Duke, not bothering to hide the worry in her voice. “He wouldn’t miss the opportunity to complain about something like this.”
Duke’s expression shifted. “Let’s check his room.”
