She leaned forward and implored, “Please turn it off.”
Of all the songs in the world.
A few minutes later her phone vibrated. It was a text message from Cary.
Where are you?
She sent him a screenshot of Emma’s post and shut off her phone.
Good riddance.
CHAPTER 24
CARY
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Cary’s stomach tightened as he stared at the screen. “What the hell is this?”
Vegas angled the phone closer to his face. “Looks like Rory, doesn’t it?”
Cary pinched his eyebrows together. “Of course it’s Rory. This is Emma’s Instagram, and Tyler just sent it.” He snapped his head up. “Where is she?”
“I saw her outside, man,” Vegas admitted.
“What?”
He elaborated, “She was crying.”
Cary closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s none of my business.” Vegas shrugged, not one to get involved in drama. “Why does Emma have a picture of Tyler’s dog?”
“To mess with her, obviously. I told Emma it was Tyler’s dog. I wasn’t even thinking.”
Vegas rolled his eyes. “Emma’s a b—”
“She showed up unannounced earlier, claiming she left a necklace here—months ago. I made her wait outside while I asked my housekeeper if she’d found it. Of course she hadn’t.” His jaw tightened as he exhaled sharply through his nose. “That’s when she took the picture. I’m sure of it.”
Vegas shook his head. “Doesn’t look good, man.”
“You think?” A rare tone of sarcasm rolled off his tongue.
“Explain what happened,” Vegas said. “She’ll understand.”
“I’m calling the hotel,” Cary said, pressing the phone to his ear.
A man answered on the other end. “How can I help you?”
“Tyler Robertson’s room, please.”
A pause. Longer than expected.
“The Marilyn Suite,” the man finally said. “I’m sorry, sir. She’s already checked out.”
Cary’s stomach dropped. “What do you mean she’s checked out?”
Had she left because of Emma? Had he ruined everything? For once in his life, he was genuinely happy—and now, the one person who made him feel that way was gone.
He couldn’t let this be the end. If he wanted Tyler in his life, he had to prove it. No more doubts. No more hesitation. If it meant making changes—hell, if it meant moving—so be it. He’d do whatever it took.
