“I can’t believe this is happening,” I mutter, wringing my hands. Cat’s been so good to me and after everything she’s done I let this happen. I feel on the verge of tears.
Michael catches my expression and puts a hand on my arm, halting my frantic pacing. “We’ll find her,” he says gently.
“How do you know?” I wail. “She’s probably crushed under a truck by now.” Tears spring to my eyes and I turn away. I donotwant to cry in front of him.
“No, don’t be silly. She won’t have gone far.”
I don’t know why, but that makes me snap. All the frustration I’ve felt towards him for being such a dick comes rushing back, and I wheel around to face him. “I can’t believe you! You’ve been nothing but a total jerk to me from the very beginning. I know I made some mistakes but you’ve been awful. You act all superior, like I’m just some idiot, but this isyourfault.” I stab a finger at him accusingly.
His mouth opens in shock and for a second I think he’s going to yell at me. I feel a flicker of uncertainty and draw in a breath, willing myself to stand my ground. Because I mean every word, whether he likes it or not. He has been a jerk and he has made me feel like an idiot, butthisis totally on him. He’s the one that let Stevie out the door.
Oh God. Stevie. I rub my face, glancing up and down the street again before turning back to Michael. Just as I think he’s going to say something nasty, his face crumples and he looks down at his hands.
I feel a flash of surprise. This is the first time I’ve seen him like this: uncertain, wrong-footed. He’s not scowling, he’s not trying to place the blame on me. He knows he’s in the wrong.
He opens his mouth to say something, then closes it again, dragging the heel of his hand over his forehead.
I tear my eyes away from him and look back down the street, gnawing on a fingernail. There’s still no sign of Stevie and I feel desperate. There has to be someone I can call, something I can do.
“I’m going to go searching again,” I say.
“Okay.” Michael nods. “I’ll go too.”
We head out again in opposite directions, but this time I don’t stop at one block. I go around the next block and the next, calling Stevie’s name. Fear clutches at me as I pound the pavement, getting further and further from the apartment. The cold air bites through my thin sweater, but I’m so anxious about Stevie I don’t even care.
Please Stevie, I beg silently,where are you?
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I ignore it. It’s probably Cat checking in on Stevie and I can’t face her yet.
“Stevie,” I call, over and over, my voice hoarse. But it’s no use; she’s not here. I don’t know where she is or what’s happened to her, and tears prick my eyes again. I’m the worst roommate—the worst friend—ever. Cat will never forgive me and I’ll have to move out. I’ll have to leave the city and it’s all Michael’s bloody fault.
My phone buzzes again and I pull it out with a weary sigh. Probably best to just get this over with.
But it’s a number I don’t recognize.
“Hello?”
“Hey,” Michael says on the other end, breathless. “We’ve got her.”
“Oh, thank God!” I’m so overcome with relief I want to sob. I sag against a lamppost, forcing myself to take a deep breath. “Okay, I’m heading back.” I practically skip the few blocks back to the building and happiness sweeps through me when I see Agnes and Michael on the front steps, Stevie curled up on Michael’s lap. “Stevie!” I cry, scooping her up and kissing her little pug face. “Thank God you’re okay.” I hold her tight, waiting for my heart to stop racing.
“She was here with Agnes when I came back,” Michael says, relief etched on his face.
“Thank you, Agnes. Thank you.” I give her a grateful smile, cradling Stevie in my arms. “I thought she was gone. I thought—” I break off, unable to say my worst fear out loud.
Agnes smiles. “I don’t think she got very far. Came sniffing up to me a few moments ago. She’s such a sweet dog.”
Michael pushes to his feet. “She is a cutie.” He reaches forward to tickle her under the chin and she melts in my arms.
I glance up at Michael, feeling a spasm of regret for the things I said. I know it was all true, but I didn’t mean to be so blunt. And, I realize, I still haven’t apologized for the whole book misunderstanding. But now doesn’t seem like the right time.
“I’m so sorry, Alex,” Michael says earnestly. “I should have been more careful.”
I survey his sincere face, realizing once again how wrong I was about him, wanting to make things better. “It’s okay. I’m sorry too, all the things I said…” I shake my head. “I was just so worried.”
He nods in understanding and something occurs to me.
“How did you have my number?”
