Page 55 of Never the Same

I had to keep reminding myself of that fact, especially with that dream rolling around in my head, feeling more honest than anything else currently in my life.

Reed arched his shoulders back, lightly shaking his head before Ryder nudged him to pay attention.

As I watched the three men work and talk, it only just occurred to me—where was Chase? Trevor? And why hadn’t I thought to ask about them five minutes ago when she came over with her husband and brother? Some kind of friend I am.

Maybe it was because I’d been a little bummed by the intrusion. I’d just been getting into the show Reed had me watching all morning, Mad Men. We’d sat there on the couch with Ranger asleep between us as if it were the most normal thing for us to be doing.

Reed was probably just happy I’d kept my mouth shut and hadn’t brought up the dream again, or asked questions about his personal life.

“So, where’s Chase?” I finally managed to get the words out after taking my last bite.

“When Trevor is in town, he works security at the church. Chase, Eden, and my brother’s wife, Seraphina, are with him.” Audrey took my plate from me and slid it beneath her barely touched one, setting both dishes on the coffee table alongside her tea.

She folded her legs underneath her, twisting around to better face me, propping her elbow on the back of the couch, resting her other hand on her stomach, hiding a tiny burp with the back of her hand. “Sorry, baby’s fault.”

“Congratulations, by the way. I’m sure I said that before, though.” I stole a quick look at Alex. “He seems like a great dad. Trevor too.”

“They are.” She smiled, some of that nervous energy hopefully waning.

I didn’t want her to be awkward around me, even if I was that way around her. Maybe if we had something to fill the—

“Music?” she offered, reading my mind. “I heard it can help trigger memories.” She grabbed her phone from the table.

“I’d love that, thank you.” I glanced at the built-in cabinets on each side of the TV for a brief moment before looking into the kitchen. I hated being a useless fixture on the couch while they worked my case without me.

Reed was now sitting at the table, in the same chair I’d swear was from my dream. He casually looked over at me while sipping what had to be his third cup of coffee this morning.

“She’s pulling together a list for us,” Ryder said, and Reed set down his mug and eyed his team leader’s screen just as faint notes from a piano reached my ears.

“What do you think?” Audrey asked as the music played from her phone sitting on top of the pillow between us. “If you don’t like it, don’t tell me, though.”

I closed my eyes and listened. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered. “Sounds familiar. Do I know it?”

“You’ve only heard it when I’ve played it for you. It’s not been released yet.”

I opened my eyes, curious. “How do you have it?”

“Well, the piano you heard in the background? That’s me playing. As for the guitar and singing . . . definitely not me. That’s Calliope Costa. Well, she goes by Callie.”

I let the last note fade, taking it all in, right along with my best friend’s talent. “You’re a musician?”

“Pianist.” She hitched a noncommittal shoulder. “Wild story, but back in February when I was in danger because of my ex—”

“Trevor placed you in danger?” I couldn’t imagine him being a threat if he was such a great dad and still in their lives.

“No, no.” Audrey lowered her voice and clarified, “Different ex.” She rested her hand on her stomach. “Anyway, um, while you were helping keep me safe, this Italian family, the Costas, watched over Seraphina. After, I got to know them, and one of their wives is a country singer. She won an award for her hit ‘Not Mine to Keep.’ Asked me to play the piano for her next single, and that’s the one you just heard. It’ll be out later this year.”

I peeked at her screen and hit play again. “It says ‘Untitled.’”

“Callie called last week to discuss song titles, but we didn’t decide on one yet.”

“‘Never the Same,’” I said as the song came to a close. “That’s what I’d call it, and it’s wild how much I can relate to the music, like it could’ve been written about what I’m going through.”

“No, because you will be the same again. You’ll get your memories back.” She paused the music and leaned forward to grip my forearm. “And if that book exists, and that formula was used on you, then there has to be an antidote.”

“Reed told you about the book?”

“Well, Reed told the team, and Alex isn’t so great at keeping secrets from me.” She patted my arm, then let go. “When two people get married, they become one, right? So, in his defense, he told his other half.” She trailed her fingers over her baby bump in light strokes, and I couldn’t help but think about my dream yet again.