The typing bubble appeared. Disappeared. Reappeared with violence.
Laura:WHO IS LIAM.
April:chads brother
Laura:I’M SORRY. WHAT.
April winced, like Laura’s caps could physically strike her through the screen.
Liam’s mouth curved like he was enjoying cataloguing the moment. “Angry friend?” he asked.
“Concerned friend,” April corrected.
"She cares about you." Liam said, glancing at her phone like he could see the panic radiating off it. "That's smart. You should keep people like that close."
Very smart,April thought.Not smart enough to stop this. But smart enough to bury my body if I don’t text back in five minutes.
Her phone buzzed again.
Laura:Are you being kidnapped.
Laura:Blink twice if you’re being kidnapped.
Laura:(You can’t blink over text. You know what I mean.)
April huffed a laugh she didn’t entirely recognize as her own.
April:not kidnapped
April:just… derailed
Laura:By Chad?
Laura:Is this about Chad?
Laura:(Please say yes or no. If you say “unclear” I’m calling 911.)
April’s thumb hovered.
Because yes, it was about Chad.
But it was also about Killian’s ring on her finger.
And Arthur’s silent looming.
And Jax’s quiet watchfulness.
And Liam’s thigh burning through expensive fabric like a brand—
She pulled up her calendar before she could finish the thought.
8:00 PM—Sterling Gala
8:00 PM—Mateo Tasting
She stared.
Her brain tried to boot up a spreadsheet.
