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Liam

Grandma fell down the stairs. She’s being airlifted to Manhattan Memorial now. They have better facilities than the Hamptons.

Liam

You know what? You’re at Ravenswood, and Ethan is heading there to run an errand. I’ll just have him pick you up. I’ll give him your number.

Liam

Call me when you get this. Stay safe.

A cold front knots my insides.Is Grandma okay?A fall at her age can be dangerous.

She’s a Vaughn.I breathe in, trying to stem the rising panic. We have money. We have the best resources. She’ll be fine. She has to be.

Delaney clears his throat and I see he’s done with his call. He rakes his fingers through his hair, frustration rolling from him in waves. “Nova, can we meet again tomorrow? There’s an emergency I need to take care of. May I have your phone?”

He walks to me and lays out his palm. I hand my cell to him and he inputs his number and calls himself.

“Let me drop you off and I’ll call you tonight and explain everything?”

Wordlessly, I nod. “Is everything okay?”

“I hope so. I’m worried, but my best friend needs me right now. He has a family emergency.”

The hairs rise on the back of my neck, and an unsettling weight settles in my gut. Bad news back to back and a crazy storm outside. What on earth is happening?

“I need to make another quick call, okay?”

“Sure. Do what you need to do. We have all the time in the world.” I reach out and squeeze his forearm.

He pauses his dialing, the furrow between his brows disappearing as he clasps his larger hand on top of mine. Then, he grazes his finger on my nose again. Those beautiful lips slowly curve up in a grin.

My heart skips several beats.

“Thanks,” he whispers. “Despite what just happened, today is the happiest day of my life.”

I beam and watch his smile widen, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Me too. Go. Do your thing.”

He nods and dials his number before lifting his phone to his ear. He twines his hand with mine.

A few seconds later, my phone buzzes again.

Frowning, I answer the call. “Hello?”

Delaney freezes, his shoulders rigid. He whips his head toward me, eyes widening in what looks to be alarm.

“May I speak to Alexis Vaughn please?” I hear his voice through my phone.

It doesn’t make sense.

He’s right in front of me and taking care of an emergency for his best friend.

Emergency for his best friend.

The gears shift into place, and I see the exact moment when he reaches the same conclusion.

Slowly, he ends the call. I hear the click on my end and do the same.