“Is that why she blames herself?”
“She’s been having a severe case of survivor guilt. For months she kept asking why she was the only one who survived the crash, why she hadn’t died with them too. But what she can’t really forgive herself for is letting Jack drive that night. She never said no to him. She always believed that whatever craziness he indulged in, she could fix it. She loved him that much. But how could she fix that?”
“No one could. She needs to know that. It was out of her hand, not something she could have control. She needs to know that it wasn’t her fault.”
“You’re right. We’ve all tried to tell her that, but it doesn’t seem to work. Maybe if you try, it’ll work this time.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. The only one who got her to smile after three years. The only one she kissed. The one who lo…” She bit the word on a smile. “The one who can make her forgive herself and be happy again.”
“You give me a lot of credit, Zo.”
“Don’t give me that shit. What happened to your cocky, I love challenges, bluh bluh bluh attitude?”
“Our boss is a real ball buster.”
“Oh no. Don’t say Gabi broke you. Snap out of it, Fab. I need you in your best cocky shape right now.Gabineeds you.”
I needed her, too. My life would never be the same without her. She was no longer an exciting challenge that gave my life something extra. She was a part of my life I never wanted to end. She was the woman that owned my heart in full.
“When does she come home?” I asked.
“Around lunchtime. Then she stays home all day.”
I went into Gabi’s office and put her gift bag on the desk. Then I looked for any assignments she’d left me, counting the minutes until lunchtime. But when the time came and I rang her bell, she wasn’t home. I called her cell and landline but no answer came. I asked Mr. Duncan if she’d returned. He said no, sad she didn’t want him to drive her either.
I shouldn’t be worried, but I was. She was a grown woman, fully capable of taking care of herself. So what if she deviated from her routine? Maybe she decided to have lunch alone or skip it all together. Maybe she wanted to stay at the cemetery a little longer, take a walk or watch a movie. But maybe Fletcher was harassing her again. He must have known about her routine on March 25thlike her secretary did. What if he went there and gave her some of his crap?
“Where’s the cemetery?” I asked Mr. Duncan.
He gave me the address. I drove at full speed, but when I arrived, nobody was by Jack or Adam Brighton’s tombstones. I asked around, and they said she left two hours ago by herself.
I was glad Fletcher didn’t bug her on a day like this, but I wasn’t relieved. Gabriella wasn’t a spontaneous lady to just take off and do whatever. Something told me I needed to find her.
But where?
I went back to Brighton to ask Zoey for more clues. She had no idea where else to look, and when she started to worry, I was about to have an anxiety attack, and I never had one of those.
I called her for the millionth time. “Where the fuck are you, Gabi?”
She never picked up, and it was after six. I found messages from Jared telling me if I didn’t show up today, I shouldn’t bother showing up at all. My shift started in thirty minutes, but I didn’t give a shit. I must find Gabriella.
My phone boomed in my hand. My heart leapt as I hoped it was her calling me back, but it was Logan. I couldn’t handle another angry message from anyone at Poles right now.
When I ignored the call. He texted.Get your ass down here. Lady Brighton emergency.
With a gasp, I called him. “Is she at Poles?” I asked the second the line opened.
“Yes. Come fast, Fab. She’s in a pretty bad shape.”
I flew to the door, Zoey asking if I’d found her. “She’s at Poles. I’m gonna get her!” I yelled, summoning the elevator.
Outside the club, I jumped out of the car and sprinted inside. Logan received me and nodded at the bar. “She’s been drinking nonstop.”
“What? She doesn’t drink.”
“She does now.”
