“Well maybeyoushould—”
“I’d really appreciate it. Considering the coat you just manhandled isSaint Laurentand limited edition. Your fingers don’t belong anywhere near it.”
Then, without waiting for a reply, he turns back to me—all that tension falling off his shoulders like dust from his coat.
“Adeline,” he says again, as if nothing happened. “Shall I walk you out?”
***
Kai doesn’t end up walking me out, muttering something about having somewhere to be and politely walking off. That was around fifteen minutes ago, and now I’m on my way to the bus stop.
Absentmindedly, I reach into my pocket, and a sinking realization hits me: there’s not enough money for the bus. Guess I’m walking. If I hurry, I might make it to the café on time and avoid Rick’s disappointment. I can’t lose this job—not now.
Urgency fuels my strides, propelling me forward, but Naomi’s voice stops me.
“Adeline!”
I glance back as she jogs over, annoyance bubbling beneath my skin.
“Hi,” I mutter, quickening my pace.
“Wow, make me run, why don’t you,” she teases, her tone light. But I can’t find it in me to laugh.
“Shouldn’t you be on your way home with Sam? You know, in the car?” I ask, my impatience seeping into my words.
“Sam left school early and I didn’t have enough money to take the bus either.” There’s irritation in her voice now.
“I’ve been looking for extra jobs,” I say, sidestepping her.
“Maybe I could help at the café,” she offers.
The suggestion ignites a simmering anger within me.
“Seriously? Maybe?” I respond, my irritation colouring my words.
Confusion flashes across Naomi’s face. “What? I’m offering, aren’t I? I’m just trying to help.”
I don’t spare her a glance, instead quickening my pace even more. “You should have helped months ago,” I bite back.
Naomi stares at me, stunned. “I’m sorry, okay? What’s gotten into you?”
Something inside me snaps. I stop abruptly, turning to face her. “But instead, you were too busy feeling sorry for yourself and blaming me for something that wasn’t my fault,” I say, my voice trembling with rage.
Naomi tries to interject, but my rage spills out despite my efforts to control it. “Okay, fine. Is this what you want to hear? That it was all my fault? That I should have died instead of him?” My voice cracks, but there’s no way I would ever let myself cry in front of her.
Naomi’s silence is deafening, her gaze fixed on mine.
“Do you hate me because I didn’t?” I whisper, staring at her with the same intensity.
When she doesn’t respond, I turn away, quickening my pace once more. My eyes burn, but I won’t let the tears fall.
Naomi tries to speak, but her words are lost as we both freeze.
Kai Steele storms out of a nearby shop, obvious irritation swirling in his eyes. Behind him, Paris stumbles out, her face pale and on the verge of tears. She clutches two large shopping bags, her hands trembling. Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, and her lips quiver ever so slightly.
I glance at Naomi, who stands beside me, her own surprise etched on her face.
My phone pings.Lilia,I think with relief, but the screen readsUnknown.The mere sight of those words on the screen freezes me in place.
