Page 127 of Into Pitch

“That depends on your definition,” I squeak.

She drops her hands but doesn’t relax. I’m starting to think that Imogen never really relaxes though. Not fully at least when it comes to me.

“You disappeared again and before you say it—yes, I know, you warned me, you needed space, blah blah. But you don’t get to vanish off the face of the earth and then act surprised when I show up ready to commit manslaughter.”

Oof, too soon.

“I’m okay, I swear.” I sigh and gesture for her to sit. To take a serious fucking chill pill.

Her eyes narrow. “You’re using your calm voice. That’s never good.”

Right, no easing into this.

“I may be getting married.”

The words hit the air and just sit there, because all Imogen does is blink.

“Okay, run that by me again.” She says slowly.

“I’m serious.”

Her jaw drops like the strings to the damn thing have been cut. “Nope, you’re joking.”

“I’m not.”

She stares at me, searching my face like the punchline is hidden somewhere in my expression. When she doesn’t find it, her voice goes very quiet.

“Sadie.”

“I know,” I say quickly. “I know how it sounds.”

“No,” she snaps. “You don’t, because what it sounds like is that the man who kidnapped you, traumatized half the city, and lives somewhere between ‘morally bankrupt’ and ‘actively homicidal’ just proposed to you and you—what? You said yes?”

“Well, I haven’t yet.”

Her mouth opens then snaps shut again.

“…yet.”

“I’m going to,” I whisper.

The silence that follows is suffocating. Imogen slowly sets her purse down on the bench before sitting herself down there herself. When she looks at me again, her eyes are bright with a fear she’s barely holding back.

“Tell me that you’re not doing this because you think this is what you deserve.”

Damn—that one hurts.

“That’s not it,” I say and mean it.

“Then explain to me, because from where I’m standing, this looks like every bad cycle you’ve ever been trapped in, wearing a better suit.” She demands.

I lean back against the counter, fingers digging into the edge. “He didn’t trap me.”

“He literally kidnapped you, but okay.” She mutters sarcastically.

“I left and came back.” I whisper, there’s no way of putting that cat back in the bag on that one.

“Choice doesn’t exist in a vacuum, Sadie.” She whispers.