Oliver looks like he wants to say more, but Misha places a hand on his shoulder, shaking his head. “We’ll go. Give you the space you need.”
“Fine,” Grey relents, his shoulders sagging. “But we’re not going anywhere. Our rooms are the ones three doors down the hallway if you need us.”
What I need is to turn back time.
“I won’t.”
They exchange glances, a mixture of guilt and helplessness in their eyes, before slowly making their way to the door. It closes behind them with a soft click, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the echo of their promises…
…and the sound of my phone vibrating on my vanity.
Picking it up, I stare at the text from Willow in disbelief.
Willow
I can’t watch the fish anymore. I left your key in an envelope in front of your door. Bye.
What?
No, this can’t be happening. I try to call her, but it goes straight to voicemail. Frustrated, I type out a message.
Why? You can’t leave the key like that. I’m in London, Willow! Please call me back.
I wait, anxiously watching the screen for those three dots to appear, indicating she’s typing a response. But nothing comes.Just silence.My pulse quickens. The guys are here too. The only one who’s left in Seattle who could make sure that I didn’t steal those fish just to let them starve is… Morgan.
I hate that I have to call her after how I left things, but those tiny lives are more important than my pride right now.
Taking a deep breath, I hit the call button, and she picks up almost immediately.
“Amelia? Are you okay?” Morgan’s voice is filled with concern, and I feel a pang of guilt for worrying her.
“Yes, I’m fine. Sorry for leaving it like that last time.”
“Don’t worry about it. I heard the guys found you. Is everything okay? They only called to ask Grandpa about your father, but then went radio silent again. We’re worried over here.”
I sigh, running my hand over my face. “I’m sorry. And yeah, that was such a random connection. I still can’t quite wrap my head around it.”
“Is it, though?” Morgan asks, her voice thoughtful. “Grandpa was a law professor at Harvard for almost twenty years. I’d guess he has a lot of former students walking around. The world’s smaller than we think sometimes.”
“True,” I concede, biting my lip. “Anyway, I have to ask you for a favor. And I’m so sorry about it.”
“Anything,” Morgan says without hesitation, and I could kiss her for it.
“I need you to feed my fish, please. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’m desperate. My fish sitter just quit and left the key in front of my apartment door. I can’t believe she did that, but I suppose that’s what I get for hiring a preteen.”
“Yourfish sitter?” Morgan laughs. “Oh well, I guess that makes me one, too, now. Of course, no problem. I’ll take care of your fish.”
“Thank you so much,” I say, relief washing over me. “I’m going to text you everything you need to know in a minute. I promise it’s not too complicated.”
I’m about to hang up when Morgan’s voice stops me. “Amelia,” she says, shifting to something more serious.
“Yes?”
“How are they holding up? Are they fucking up even more?”
I pause, mulling over her question.
Are they?
