Melanie narrows her eyes in my direction, tilting her head ever so slightly to reveal the sharp point of the pencil that sticks through her bun.
“That may work on Adam, but it doesn’t on me.”
My cousin frowns, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “I’ll try my best to clear the air. Just promise me nothing else will happen tonight,” she says before jutting out her pinky finger.
I lock mine with hers like we have so many times as children.
“Promise,” I murmur, even though they always find a way to be broken.
CHAPTER 3
VIVIENNE
“Blink once if you’re doing this against your will…Twice if you think you’re ill.”
I don’t blink.
In fact, I don’t think I have since we stepped out of the car and found ourselves in front of this plane hangar somewhere in New Jersey.
“You know, I’m actually surprised you caved in so quickly.”
My head swivels in Sutton’s direction, not missing the lopsided smile and two thumbs-up she throws my way.
When she suggested I accompany her to that “social media engineering event” as a way to decompress from the earlier day’s chaos, I never expected this.
Given the little red dress and matching pumps she dressed me in, I assumed we were going to dinner. The extravagant kind, with ornate flower arrangements, five-course meals, and parting gift bags, like she’s attended so many times before.
Clearly, I didn’t ask nearly enough questions. And while that regret is slowly starting to creep in, it doesn’t begin to compare to the anxiety unleashing itself within me.
Forget about unsolvable problems and their best remedy—I’d rather be at home, wasting my time curled up with fuzzy blankets and a tub of peanuts as I sob over a rom-com and its happy ending.
An ending I’m not sure I’ll get tonight when I’m surrounded by the one thing I hate the most.
“Sutton!” a deep male voice calls out to my best friend.
We turn in unison, meeting the sights of a man in a clean, light blue button-up, perfectly tailored navy trousers, and green eyes I swear I’ve seen before.
“Adam!” Coppery waves stream behind her back as she rushes over to pull the guy into a friendly hug. “I haven’t seen you in so long. How have you been?”
I follow her at a much slower pace, unsure of how she knows this man.
“Busy with the preparations leading up to this event, but otherwise, I’m good.” He lets out a warm chuckle. “And you? Really making waves with the whole social media science thing. Any plans of quitting school and doing this full-time?”
“Absolutely not.” Sutton snorts. “It’s my side job for now. Finishing grad school is my priority. Not sure what I’ll do next, but I guess we’ll see.” She lifts her shoulders with a sheepish grin.
“You’ve always been a smart one. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” His eyes brighten in her direction before turning to meet mine. “And you must be Sutton’s plus-one.” He extends a hand in greeting.
I give it a firm shake, smiling the hardest I can despite my simmering anxiety. “Vivienne Brown.”
“Adam Archer. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He releases my hand, nodding in the direction of the plane hangar. “How about I show you guys around the place before the grand reveal? We’ve set up about every model the company has ever made. It really is a sight to see.”
“We would love that,” Sutton says with a grin, linking her arm with mine.
We follow his lead, trailing him as he weaves through what looks to be some sort of an exhibit. One too many planes are strategically positioned across the room, circled by red ropes. Information panels with the model and blueprint stand before them. People are gathering around to admire the sights, but for me? It’s all too much to take in.
I close my eyes, trying to erase the memories flooding back to my mind, but I can only do that for so long without raising suspicions.
We stop in front of one of the many death contraptions when Adam goes on to explainsomethingwith so much excitement, but I tune it out. It’s the only way I’ll be able to keep a sliver of my composure.
