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She couldn’t help.

When Charlotte arrived at the spa, the parking lot was nearly empty. It was hours before they’d open to the public.

Pulling around to the back service entrance, Charlotte parked in front of the dumpster and signaled for someone from the kitchen sta to let her in.

Dark and without the sound of pan flutes and running water, the spa was a foreign place. Even the reception desk looked alien without Paola behind it. With her eyes glued to the floor, Charlotte couldn’t stand to look at anything. She bolted for her target.

“Two weeks,” Charlotte murmured with the booking software open on her computer screen. “He doesn’t have another appointment with Leah for two weeks.”

Okay, okay. This gives me a little time .

Alex was strict about scheduling. She wouldn’t let Leah add an extra day. And even if someone canceled, she had a list of established clients that would be o ered the slot. Eric was so low on the seniority list there was little chance he’d get in before then.

Charlotte’s phone buzzed in her pocket.

Alex: I’m sure you’re still sleeping. Trying to shake the jet lag.

If you need to take the morning o , I can put in a good word with Linda . . . I miss you.

Charlotte’s nausea returned with a vengeance even though there was nothing left in her stomach. Shutting o her computer, Charlotte ensured the o ce looked the way it did when she arrived before turning o the light and running down the hallway.

She was in her car and a few miles away parked behind a grocery store before she replied. After coming up with and abandoning several excuses, she went with a modified version of the truth.

Charlotte: I barely slept last night. Might need a sick day. I’ll message Linda. Miss you more.

Alex: Oh, no. I’m sorry to hear that. Do you want me to swing by? Bring you something?

Alex had never been to her apartment despite o ering several times to spend time there. This was certainly not going to be the reason for her first visit. Plus, she didn’t intend on going home. Not yet.

Charlotte: I’m okay. Just out of sorts. Not all of us can sleep for the entirety of a transatlantic flight .

The memory of Alex, her eyes covered with a black sleep mask as she rested on Charlotte’s shoulder wrecked her.

What she wouldn’t give to be back in that moment. In any moment other than this one.

Alex: I did tell you to sleep over . . . I would’ve made sure you were too tired not to get some much-needed rest.

Charlotte leaned her head against the steering wheel. If she could tear her heart out to stop it from shattering, she would.

Alex: Get your sleep. I’ll check on you later.

Unsure where she was going, Charlotte started driving. As she meandered around the streets of Miami in rush-hour tra c, her only option materialized. She had to try again.

With the truth this time.

WITH HER PREPAID phone in the garbage of a big box retail store like Jayson instructed, Charlotte had no choice but to use her cell phone. It was just as well since she had nowhere left to hide.

Her first two calls went unanswered. He picked up on the third.

“Why are you calling me from your phone? Are you in trouble?” Jayson asked in a hurried whisper.

“I am in trouble,” she admitted. “I need to see you now.

Where are you?”

“I’m home, but —”

“Okay. I’ll be there soon. I’m not too far.”