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Snorting, Lando nodded. “Probably accurate.”

“Good.” Eli hugged her again, kissed the side of her head, and then gave her a sad smile. “I am serious about that offer.”

“Thanks. And thanks again for driving me here.”

“Anything for you.”

Without dragging out the conversation any longer, Eli left the airport and Lando. The building was nearly empty that time of day since there were no flights until hers in the early afternoon. Lando sat in one of the uncomfortable chairs and let out a sigh before she tightened all her muscles again.How the hell was she going to tell Aunt T?

CHAPTER17

Violet had leftDiane’s room hours ago after making plans for that afternoon. She’d spent a lot of that time in quiet, trying to figure out what she was feeling. Lando kissing her had been vastly unexpected, and she was still reeling from that. From her soft lips. From the guilt that swam through her gaze when Violet had pulled away.

If she thought about it too long, she couldn’t resist the pull of wanting it to happen again. It wasn’t just the kiss. That had been nice but nothing significant, nothing mind-blowing. It was the care that Lando had given her before, during, and after. It was the connection the two of them had as Violet lowered the walls she’d built up over the years.

She’d never thought anyone would be able to break down those walls that quickly, and yet, there was Lando. Someone who seemed to be able to do it at the snap of her fingers. It made Violet uncomfortable in her own skin. She wasn’t used to that odd kind of vulnerability.

The knock on the door caught her attention. “You ready?”

“Yeah. I just need to find Lando.”

Diane’s lips parted, surprise but also something else. “Lando won’t be coming with us.”

“What do you mean? Is she sick?” Violet grabbed her backpack and started shoving the rest of her supplies in it, remembering the first aid kit she’d used on Lando’s arm at the last minute.

“No.” Diane didn’t elaborate.

Violet finished packing and turned to face Diane, hands fisted on her hips. “Then where is she?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Violet narrowed her gaze.

Diane straightened her back at Violet’s aggressive tone, and Violet instantly regretted using it. She should have taken a softer voice with Diane, that was the best way to get information out of her anyway. “She and I had a talk this morning, and Lando agreed she wasn’t right for this team.”

Cold rushed through Violet’s bones. She shivered as her stomach plummeted at the thought. “I’m not understanding.”

“Lando is no longer a part of our team.”

“Why?” Violet barely contained whatever emotion rampaged through her. She wasn’t even sure she could name it if she tried. Worry, fear, apathy? No, not apathy. Resignation. Somehow she’d known this was going to happen, that Lando wouldn’t make it through the season.

“She said she couldn’t do it anymore.”

Violet pressed her lips together hard, her fingers balling into fists. Diane stepped closer and put a hand on Violet’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry. I know you valued her help.”

“What exactly did she say?” Violet ground out.

Diane looked surprised, but she didn’t comment on it. “I don’t remember. It was a quick conversation.”

“Where is she now?”

“I don’t know.” Confusion flashed across Diane’s face. “What does it matter?”

Violet raised her gaze, locking her eyes on Diane’s. “I don’t believe you.”

“What?”