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Noanswer.

I walk over to the island and see a note card folded on the island.

Good morning, princess.

I didn’t want to wake you up. Have some shit to handle today. Your car is out front. I’ll see you tonight.

—D

I roll my eyes. Why didn’t he just text me? I swipe my keys off the island and walk out the front door.

My phone pings on my way to my car. Astra.

Let’s say 12?

Perfect. I get in my car and speed to the restaurant. I have so much to tell her.

* * *

I sit on the heated patio across from Astra. The smell of pizza fills the air, mixing with the scent of fall—a deliciously warm and intoxicating mixture. I gaze out onto the sidewalk that is filling up with people going out for lunch. The main street is lined with restaurants. It has always been our favorite place to people-watch.

She stares at me as if I am certifiably insane, considering I cannot help the smile that is permanently fixed on my face.

“Are you good?” Her brows are pinched together.

“I am more than good.”

She crosses her arms in front of her chest. Arching a brow at me.

“What did you do?”

“I gave him a chance….” I fiddle with the paper from my straw in front of me.

“Did you sleep with him?” She leans forward and speaks quietly.

I nod my head, keeping my eyes down on my hands in front of me.

“And….?”

“And it was great. Perfect, actually….”

She sits back in her chair, not believing this to be true.

“Are you sure he didn’t take advantage of you while you were in a vulnerable position? You were just fucking kidnapped, Evelyn.”

“I wanted him before that….”

“I’m just making sure you are okay….”

“I am. I promise.” I lift my eyes and smile at her.She just cares about you.

Our food arrives, and we talk about what happened when I was being held captive. I made sure to leave the part out about Dante murdering the captors. She, of course, told me that she wanted to track them down. I told her not to worry about it. She seemed a bit uneasy from my confident response, but she accepted it anyway.

“What are you doing later?”

“I think Dante was planning on doing something, I’m not sure what though. What about you?”

My eyes rise from the table and meet hers when she doesn’t answer me. She is staring across the street like she is about to go on a killing spree. I turn my attention to what she is looking at. Not what. Who. Dante.