Page 59 of Beautiful Revenge

I turn in my flip flop and go straight to the bathroom to peek around the corner. I plaster a smile on my face and hope it comes across as natural. I don’t remember what a genuine smile feels like even though just one minute ago everything in my life felt right.

“Sorry, Chrissie couldn’t wait. You know how she is. You found a towel?”

Water spots the tile floor in a trail to the linen rack as I watch the man I’m set to marry stand naked while toweling his light brown hair. “Yep. You packed? I’ll call for a porter to collect our suitcases.”

I feel flushed and cold and fear I may hyperventilate. “All packed. I think I need something to eat before we leave. I’m going to walk up to the main building and get a smoothie. Do you want anything?”

He frowns. “Do we have time for that? We can do it on the way out.”

I glance at my watch even though I can’t comprehend time or love or any reasoning at this point. It’s not like the pilot will leave us. “We’ve got time. The walk will be good since we’ll be sitting for hours today. I’ll be right back.”

Albert wraps the towel low on his hips as he turns to the mirror to focus on himself. “Get me one of those açai bowls. And hurry. I don’t want to be late.”

I give him a nod since I can’t form words, not that he notices. He’s focused on his skincare regimen, which is almost as complicated as mine.

Something I’ve always loved about him.

I hurry through the open-air bungalow and grab my cell before I get to the door.

I put enough distance between me and my fiancé before I glance back to make sure no one can hear me.

I push go on the number I call more than any other. It’s no surprise she picks up immediately. She always does.

“There you are!” Chrissie exclaims. “I thought you died in paradise. The resort website said lines were down from a storm. Was it bad?”

“Chrissie.” Tears prickle the backs of my eyes as I hurry down the long dock to land.

The line goes silent before her tone switches from teasing to severe. “What’s wrong, and who do I need to castrate?”

“I don’t have time,” I whisper loud enough for her to hear me over the ocean breeze and the waves hitting the dock below me. “I need you to do something for me. Until we land in New York, I need you to track my phone and the plane. Text me endlessly. Get with the airwing manager at Stonebridge. Make sure you can track the plane and me until I can get to you.”

“What on earth is going?—”

“Do it, please,” I beg. “Don’t ask questions. If I have to explain myself, I won’t make it through the day without breaking down. No task I’ve ever given you is as important as this. Then manufacture some sort of emergency, meet me at the airfield, and make plans to get us the hell out of New York. I’m not going back to SoHo today. We get straight on another plane. I don’t care where we go but make it far. Got it?”

Her tone tenses, but I hear her tapping away at her keyboard. “Dammit, Harlow. You’re scaring me.”

“Good,” I quip. “Because I’ve never felt this way in my life. And I’m not being a drama queen.”

“You’re never a drama queen,” she defends me to myself. “Janie wears that crown, and she’s not letting it go anytime soon.”

I get to the main building of the resort and head straight to the counter to order, even though there’s no way I’ll be able to stomach anything. “You know what time we take off. Whatever emergency you manufacture, send it a few minutes prior.”

“I can do that,” she says. “I wish you would tell me what’s going on, but at least I feel better that you’re not alone. You’ll be okay—Albert is with you.”

I cringe at those words.

The long flight to New York might be the death of me.

Unless something tragic happens first.

I don’t let on what I just learned. “Text me constantly, Chrissie. Please.”

“I’ve got your back. I always do. You’ll be sick of me by the time we see each other.”

“Never. I’ve got to go. Thank you so much for doing this.” I exhale, wishing it would rid the tension from my body. I need to get my shit together for the trip home. “You’re saving my life.”

Chrissie has no idea just how literal I mean that, but she will soon.