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Then he slung his duffel over his shoulder. This time, though, he wasn’t heading for a place to escape, to get lost in the crowd, to blend in.

He was going home.

Chapter Sixteen

Sadie hoped chai lattes and a thousand apologies were enough to mend her friendship with Dani.

If not, then she got what she deserved.

For someone who valued integrity like Sadie did, she should’ve listened instead of placing blame.

Dani was being a true friend. In hindsight, Sadie admired that.

Juggling the cardboard holder with two iced chais, Sadie tapped on Dani’s open office door at the Tourism Bureau.

The vintage anchor print that papered the walls went well with the worn secretary desk and the scent of old books. Dani had added personal touches with a framed photo of her and Liam and a potted plant with bright green leaves that hung down the side of a wooden file cabinet.

With her phone to her ear, Dani spun in her chair and faced the door. The moment she saw Sadie, though, her animated expression shut down. She murmured something into her phone and ended the call. Then she stood, straightened her royal blue polo shirt with the Jonathon Island logo over her light-gray shorts, and flipped her long braid over her shoulder.

Sadie took a tentative step into the room. “Hey.”

Dani smiled but remained quiet, her eyes wary.

“I brought you a latte from Good Day. Figured you could use a break.” Sadie removed one of the dripping cups and held it out to her.

Dani stepped forward and took it. “Thanks.”

“I know you’d never betray me, and I’m sorry for the awful things I said.” The words came out in a rush.

Dani used the straw and scooped up a dollop of whipped cream and put it in her mouth, then she looked at Sadie over the edge of her cup, her eyes tinged with pain. “You really hurt me.”

Sadie’s shoulders sagged. “I was shocked to learn about Asher’s connection to my sister, and when I learned you knew, I just lost it. I’m sorry for the way I reacted. You were only trying to protect Asher and me.”

Dani’s shoulders relaxed as she set her drink on her desk. “I wanted to tell you so many times, but it wasn’t my place. I made a promise to Asher. I’m sorry too. I never wanted to hurt you.”

“Never apologize for your integrity. I can only imagine how hard it was to stay quiet.”

“It was the worst, especially when I saw the way you looked at him.” Dani opened her arms. “Forgive me?”

Sadie shook her head as she walked into her friend’s embrace. “No need. You did nothing wrong.”

They broke apart and reached for their drinks. Sadie took a sip of the icy sweetness. “How’s everything else going?”

Dani waved a hand over her messy but organized desk. “About the equivalent of a dumpster fire. You know, just another day at the office.”

“The concert?”

Dani nodded and glanced at the clock above her desk. “Still waiting to hear if Dahlia Denton will sing without Ariel. She’s supposed to return my call within the hour. If she says no, thenthe concert is off, and I have to refund our sold-out tickets, which will wipe us out and ruin my rep with the community.”

“What if I can help you get someone else, just in case. Or even in addition to?”

Dani furrowed her brows. “Who? Especially at the last minute? The concert’s in two days.”

Sadie pulled her journal out of her tote bag, opened to the page she’d completed that morning, and handed it to her friend.

Dani took it. “What is it?”

“Read it.”