Thisfrom a guy who’d hit on her during her first day there. Stupid Todd knew nothing about her personal life. But perhaps he didn’t have to know in order to see the truth of it. Shewasdamaged.
“Listen,” the bold man said, ignoring Todd completely. “Our tickets are just one-way,” he explained, “but we could makeyoursa round trip, right Ted?”
“Todd.”
The man came to his feet, spun around, and leaned against Todd’s desk, hands sinking into his pockets. “I promise that we’re decent guys. Ted can show you the itinerary so you can see where we’re staying; it’s a very nice place with people all around. I’ll get you your own room, of course. You can spend as much or as little time with us as you’d like.” He jabbed a thumb in his twin’s direction.
“He isn’t thecoolestof the two, but I can attest—heisa good guy. And so am I.”
His twin shook his head through a shy grin.
Anna took a moment in the quiet pause to reflect. Hadn’t she been dying for a way out? Wren’s last outburst had knocked her out cold. She’d woken up hours later in a pool of her own blood. She might not wake up at all the next time. Somewhere, deep in the back of her mind, she recognized this offer for what it was—a chance to break free.
Her palms broke out in a sweat.
Her throat went tight.
The pounding in her heart spiked into thumps so rapid they were no longer beats of their own, rather one long, dragged-out drumroll. An upsurge that wouldn’t quit until she spoke the one word that could silence it.
Come on, Anna. Just do it. Say it. Say—
“Yes.”
The room fell silent.
“Please,” she added, suddenly worrying that it was all a cruel prank. “I’d like to come, if you’re serious.”
Todd’s mouth dropped.
The seated twin gasped.
But the one who’d asked her only grinned. “Make her accommodations the same as ours across the board,” he said without looking at Todd. “Oh, but she wants a roundtrip, right?”
Her phone let out another buzz from the desk. Anna shook her head and let out a shaky breath.
“No,” she said, puffing her chest. “I’d like a one-way ticket as well.”
