“Where does he live?” Caroline asked.
“In a beautiful high-rise condo in Tysons.” JL’s shoulders sagged. “Well, that’s what he tells me anyway.”
“You haven’t seen it?” Caroline asked.
The server returned and Grey settled up.
“No,” JL replied. “We’re at work, we’re out—usually here—or we’re at my townhouse.”
“He’s not married, is he?” Grey asked.
“Married! Why would you say that?” JL drained her wine glass.
“You’ve never seen his home,” he replied. “How long have you been going out?”
“A few months.” After a beat, she asked, “You don’t think he’s married, do you?”
“I would definitely get an invite to his home,” Caroline said.
Concern clouded JL’s eyes. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
Grey shifted the conversation to JL’s business, asking her several questions about her company. Caroline was anxious to hear what had happened outside. And she was eager to learn what Erik—Sajid Haqazzii—knew about the Day of Destruction, though she doubted he’d betray his group.
Fifteen minutes after Grey had come back inside, he asked JL, “Have you heard from him?”
JL checked her phone. “No, nothing.”
“I didn’t get his number,” Grey said.
“Let me give it to you.” As JL recited it, he entered it into his phone.
“Let’s go outside,” he said. “He’s probably out there surrounded by a small crowd.”
In the parking lot, JL said, “I’m surprised he’s not back yet.”
“As I was walking back inside, I saw one of the dancers hurry to the car,” Grey lied.
“Oh, boy,” Caroline said. “That’s not good.”
A groan ripped from JL. “God, no. That would suck. Are you sure?”
Staying silent, Grey arched an eyebrow.
JL pulled out her phone, dialed. “Did she get in with him?”
He paused for a long second. “She might have.”
“I’m so over this.” JL put the phone to her ear, then shook her head. “It rolled to voicemail. That son of a bitch.”
“I’m sorry,” Caroline said. “Are you gonna be okay going home by yourself?”
JL sighed. “Yeah. I knew he was too good to be true.”
“Has he ghosted on you before?” Caroline asked.
“A month ago, he went missing from work for three days. I didn’t hear from him all weekend either. Then, on Monday he walked in like it was biz as usual.”
“What did he say?” Caroline asked.
