Chapter One
Elena
Cold, sharp air hits me the moment I step out of the shack and onto the marina dock. Wind rushes off the black water in violent gusts, slipping through the loose curls of my hair and sending strands whipping across my face. I shove them back impatiently, rearranging the beige scrunchie holding my ponytail together, but the breeze keeps finding me, its icy fingers ruining my efforts.
I press the phone between the edge of my shoulder and my cheek, slipping the tablet between my clenched thighs with gritted teeth. “How does someone know they’ve passed on to the other side?”
“Uh…you mean, how does a person know they’ve died?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t think...um, I’m not sure they know? Isn’t that the point? It comes unexpectedly, most times. And although some people say they expect the unexpected, I don’t think they expect to die. Does that make sense?”
I tuck in the last strand of stray hair, slip out the tablet, and grab my phone. “Uh-huh. It makes sense.”
“Lee, is there a reason you’re asking me that right now?”
Another gust of wind hits me, forcing my ponytail to lash out in different angles, from my face to the back of my neck.
The oversized color-blocked knitted sweater hanging off my shoulders usually provides enough warmth, but the cold wind cuts straight through it. It bites at my thighs, which are bare beneath my khaki shorts, creeps down my legs, and settles deep into my bones. Inside my sneakers, my toes feel numb.
I narrow my eyes as I tighten my grip on my phone. “What’s the time?”
“Half past eleven?”
“Huh, interesting.” I scoff, feeling the corners of my eyes tighten even more. “In less than twenty-four hours, I’m going to strangle you the moment I set eyes on you. It’ll be very slow and deliberate, and I have a feelingyou’llknow the exact second you cross to the other side. I’ll make sure you do.”
Over the phone, I hear a deep, rich chuckle rumble at the back of his throat. He quickly covers it with a cough.
“Lee, I’m sorry. Please—”
“Don’t ‘Lee’ me, Henry. You’re abusing our friendship,” I snap, then wave the tablet at an innocent seagull at the distance. “I’m not supposed to be working until eight tomorrow morning, and you know that. I should be under the covers right now, all wrapped up and cozy, dreaming about trips I may never take to Singapore, or...or Russia!”
“I could swear that before now, you’ve never mentioned traveling. Much less to Moscow.”
“Henry!”
“Fine.”He blows out a deep breath. “I am terribly sorry for causing such an inconvenience, but Margaret from the office called. It’s an urgent inspection, Lee. You know I wouldn’t have disturbed your daydreaming time if I could make it to the docks.”
“And this apology might have been fine,ifI didn’t know you’re with Stephanie right now, doing only God knows what.That’syour poor excuse for an emergency.”
“No, you got it all wrong,” he fires back, but I hear his suppressed chortle. “I’m with my mother.”
“Honestly, I can tell why you don’t know the difference. You always date women who look creepily similar to your mom.”
“Elena!” He gasps. “That’s...rude.”
“It’s true, though.” Nonchalantly, I shrug, then roll my eyes as I mutter under my breath: “With all that makeup shealways wears, your mother actually looks way younger than her. I say that from a place of love.”
“I’ll pretend like I didn’t hear that. But Iamsincerely sorry for putting you through this. The inspection should be a quick in and out. We just want to make sure there aren’t any of those silly frat brats sneaking around with liquor and ladies.”
I huff. “And if I find some, I’d do what? Chase them away with a slipper?”
“You could do that. Or maybe just walk away and let them have some fun.”
“Yeah, after all you’ve put me through, I’m definitely chasing them away with a slipper,” I grumble, and he laughs.
“Don’t hurt yourself in the process,” he says, and I can almost see the soft smile on his face when he adds,“Text me when you’re back home, okay?”
