“How soon can you pack?”
“I’m mostly packed. I just need someone to help me get out of this dress.”
In a world where she got to marry someone she loved, that would be my job. “I’ll see if Katrina can help you. Can you be ready in an hour?”
“I’ll try.”
Exactly an hour later,Mila came down the stairs, carrying a large trumpet case. A staff member carried an oversized suitcase down the stairs behind her.
My eyes landed on the trumpet case.
“It’s my dad’s,” she said, with some defiance in her eyes.
“How did the packing go?”
“I’m taking one bag with me, and some other things will be shipped.”
I tried, but she wouldn’t give me the trumpet. “Ready to go?”
She worked to hide her relief. “Ready.”
Part Two
THE ARRANGEMENT
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MILA
“Wake up, Mila.”Axel’s voice invaded the dream I was having. “We’re here.”
I reluctantly opened my eyes to the world around me. We were parked in front of a large hotel. I stared vacantly out the car window and could see our driver handing off our bags to the concierge.
“What time is it?”
“Just after three in the morning, Vancouver time.”
Our flight had been ten hours long, but we’d gained eleven hours, and my body was already confused.
I stood by while Axel checked us in, and when we got off the elevator on our floor, he walked me to a hotel room, scanned the door and handed me a card key. “I’m next door. Text me or come get me if you need anything.”
Instead of joy, when I realized I would be alone, I actually felt a ripple of fear. “You’re leaving me?”
He paused. “I’m right next door.”
It was embarrassing when tears filled my eyes. I was just so tired and overwhelmed.
“Okay,” I said, hating how wobbly my voice sounded.
Without ceremony, he pushed my door open. “Check with the front desk in the morning.”
I was too exhausted to question him. “Okay.”
I walked into the room, but he didn’t let it shut behind me. Instead he stood there, watching me as I tiredly kicked off my shoes.
“Are you okay?”
I avoided his eyes. “I’ll be fine.”
