Bonnie nodded.
“Come here.” Indie pressed a hand to her head, and Bonnie laid her cheek on her sister’s shoulder.
“Thank you.” It wasn’t just for Indie’s words. She was thanking her for welcoming her back into her life after Bonnie had done everything possible to escape it. She was thanking her for loving her regardless of what she’d done.
Indie kissed her temple. “You’re my sister. I’ll always love you.”
The words sank deep inside her, filling a gap that had been empty for so long. “I love you too. And I should call Noah.”
“I already have. I think he was with Zane.”
She cringed. “I need to talk to Zane about what I heard too.”
“Only when you’re ready. And Bonnie…you don’t need to run anymore.”
Bonnie’s heart squeezed. Because Indie was right. She was good at running. It was her default. But it was time to stop.
CHAPTER 22
Zane paced the hall. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been doing it, but he couldn’t stay still. Not until he saw Bonnie with his own two eyes and knew she was safe.
Every call was still going to voicemail. Every text went unanswered. It was killing him. All of it. Especially after Monty’s call.
He shoved his fingers through his hair, pulling at the damn strands. It was only when he heard footsteps on the stairs and distant voices that his hands stilled.
Then Bonnie stepped into the hall, Indie and Colt beside her, and his heart fucking stopped.
Safe. She was safe and unharmed, and damn, that almost dropped him to his knees.
She stopped when she saw him, brows flickering. She turned to the couple and said something quietly. Indie shot him a glance before pulling Bonnie into a hug. Zane received a chin lift from Colt before he put a hand on Indie’s back, then he and his wife headed back down the stairs.
“How long have you been out here?” Bonnie asked when she reached him.
“Not long.” A damn lie. He’d been here for over an hour. “Can I come in?”
She looked at the closed door. For a second he was sure she’d say no. Then she unlocked it and stepped inside her apartment, leaving the door open behind her.
He followed her in, closing and locking the door after him.
“My phone died,” she said quietly. “But I’m sorry I disappeared on you.”
“I was worried.” A fucking understatement.
“Do you want a coffee?” She walked to the kitchen and put a pod into the machine.
He crossed the room and the second he stood behind her, he gently gripped her hips, needing to touch her. She froze, the smallest gasp slipping into the air. “Bonnie…what happened today?”
The only sound in the room was her breathing. Deep. Even. “I got a text from Jane White. It threw me. I was still feeling shaky when I heard you.”
“Heard me what?”
“Chett left his coloring book at the gym. I went back in, and I heard you say you would never love another person again.”
Shit.
She turned in his arms, a glint of tears in her eyes as she stared at his chest. “I know we haven’t been dating for long. It just…it hurt and I ran.” She lifted a shoulder. “I’ve lived all of my adult life without having any meaningful relationships. And I guess I was hoping that this was different.”
She hadn’t met his gaze. Not once the entire time she was speaking.
