Is someone living there now? I stare at the now-closed door, eyes narrowed. Curious that I haven’t seen them on the cameras, coming and going.
Curious.
I take the lilies with me when I go. She deserves much better than this gas-station garbage.
34
SYDNEY
I’m late.
I amso fucking late.
By the time I wake up and finally turn my phone back on, it’s late enough in the day that it’s a miracle Jade hasn’t kicked down my front door to make sure I’m not dead. The quick shower I take before leaving—absolutely necessaryconsidering the state Sebastian left me in—makes me even later.
“I’m so, so sorry!” I call out the second I burst through the doors of the Bookshop Boutique and Bakery. It’s nearly noon, and I’ve missed the entirety of the morning rush. Bea yowls indignantly from her carrier, furious at her imprisonment, until I finally set it down and open it to let her free. She immediately darts away, disappearing between the bookstacks, eager to start a new day of harassing our customers. “My alarm didn’t go off this morning and?—”
I stop in the middle of my explanation, because Jade doesn’tlookmad. Or even disappointed. She’s behind the café counter, arms crossed over her chest, mouth twitching like she’s trying not to laugh.
“It’s fine,” she says, not even trying to hide her grin. “You werebusy. And Justin was here to help.”
I frown, confused. “Justin isn’t scheduled to work today.”
“He wasn’t,” Jade admits. “But when the good doctor texted me this morning to explain why you’d be coming in late…”
Oh, no. He wouldn’t. But Jade gives me a smugI told you solook.
“Please tell me he didn’t actually text you,” I beg.
“I really wish I could tell you that, Syd,” she says sweetly, “but sadly, I am not a liar.”
I bury my face in my hands and groan.
“So.” Jade’s smile widens. “You and Doc, huh? When did that start up again?”
“Last night,” I murmur into my palms. “Or, maybe earlier? I don’t even know.”
“Uh-huh,” Jade says, smirking.
“Hey, there’s thisreallyscary-looking guy hanging around the back, and—Oh!” Justin’s voice makes us both turn. He freezes mid-step when he sees me, face going tomato red. “H-hey, Syd!”
“Justin may have read the messages as well,” Jade informs me.
“Oh God.” I drop my face back into my hands.
“It’s fine.” He gives an awkward laugh. “I was just, you know,therewhen she got the messages. She asked if I could come in and cover for you. No big deal.”
“No big deal that he now knows your boyfriend sexed you into a coma this morning,” Jade adds.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I protest. “He’s just…”
And there it is. The problem. I don’t know what he is. Or where I stand, with any of them, anymore.
“Just the guy who sexed you into a coma,” Jade finishes helpfully.
“I really don’t think I need to be part of this conversation,” Justin says, backing away. “I don’t think Iwantto be part of this conversation.”
“What were you saying before?” I ask him, desperate to change the subject. “About a scary guy?”
