He knew he couldn’t stop her. Not without holding on so tightly she’d break. And somehow, hearing it from someone who didn’t understand, helped her better appreciate the one who did.
And miss him more.
Logan stepped toward her. “Is there a chance?—”
“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “There isn’t.”
He looked at her for a beat. “Okay.”
Her heart was beating too loud in her chest.
“I’ll see you around, Bey.”
Bea stayed out there after he left, until her fingers were numb. Wishing for a portal that would bring her to him.
Bea sat on the edge of the sofa, drink forgotten in her hand, the noise of the party pulsing behind her. Claire was mid-story nearby, laughing with someone from high school, her heels dangling from two fingers.
She glanced down.
Incoming call: Gage
Bea swiped. “Hello?”
“There’s a black car waiting outside. Get in.”
Of all the things she expected him to say,thatwasn’t even in the top one hundred.
Her heart kicked against her ribs. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. You’ll be safe. The driver has your name.”
“Where am I going?”
“You’ll see.”
He hung up.
She blinked, staring at the phone as though it had answers. Her pulse was a thread of lightning. The noise of the party faded around her. Claire turned to say something—but stopped when she saw Bea’s face. “Everything okay?”
Bea crossed over, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her behind her, along the corridor, and into the bathroom. “Cover for me.”
“What?”
“I have to go.”
“Go where?”
“I don’t know. He sent a car.”
Claire’s eyes widened. “Wait.Gage?”
Bea nodded.
Claire recovered fast. “Okay, okay. Is this a murdery situation or a private-jet-and-a-suite kind of deal?”
Bea gave a shaky smile. “The second one. I think.”
Claire fished through her purse and tossed Bea a lip gloss. “Take this. And text me so I know you’re alive.”
