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He sighed, tossing an arm over his face. “Fine. We’ll wrangle her in a bit. But I guarantee someone’s already noticed she’s missing.”
“They’re probably organizing a search party as we speak,” I said, grinning. “Flashlights. Team t-shirts. Maybe a reward poster.”
Elias gave me a sidelong look. “Think anyone would suspect she was last seen wrapped around your naked body?”
I bit my lip, eyes sparkling. “Only if they really know me.”
We both laughed, the sound easy, unexpected. It felt strange and beautiful—this thing between us that hadn’t existed forty-eight hours ago, now solidifying like wet cement setting fast.
He reached for my hand, lacing our fingers together. “We’ll deal with the ballet fallout. The snake. Whatever else.”
I nodded, the knot in my chest loosening just a little. Then I sighed, rolled over, and reached for the drawer.
The phone was still where I’d buried it last night, its black screen deceptively calm. I tapped the button, expecting the worst.
It didn’t disappoint.
Missed call: Jessa Lane
Text (6): Jessa Lane
1:07 AM –Vivi, please call me. I’m freaking out.
1:10 AM –That stunt on the bridge? What were you thinking?
1:15 AM –Are you okay? Are you high? I’m serious.
1:22 AM –I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to leave you, but you wouldn’t listen.
7:04 AM –We need to talk. Tonight. After work.
7:06 AM –Please. I’m not asking.
I stared at the messages, that last one pulsing louder than the rest.
Not asking.
Jessa never pushed like that. She was the more reasonable one. The calm after my storm. But this? This was something else.
Elias must’ve noticed the shift in my energy because he sat up slowly, his voice low and gruff. “Everything okay?”
I didn’t answer right away. Just stared at Jessa’s name like it might rearrange itself into something softer.
“She called,” I said finally. “Jessa. My friend from the harbor … and the bridge. She texted a bunch, too.”
He waited.
“She wants to talk. Tonight. Says it’s important.”
His jaw worked, like he was chewing on the words. “You gonna call her back?”
I nodded, swiping to dial before I could second-guess myself.
Jessa answered on the first ring. “Vivi.”
Her voice was tight. Too tight.
“Hey,” I said, leaning back against the headboard. “Sorry I didn’t answer last night. I?—”