Page 72 of See You There

With food in her stomach, Dahlia was already feeling better. Less shaky. She picked up the fries container and wandered over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out at the city lights. I need to make some big changes in my life, Dahlia thought as she crunched a fry.

Not just her representation. Bigger things. She was tired of being afraid that everything she’d worked for could be taken away in an instant—if she wasn’t the right size, or if her background was exposed. What was the point of living if she was anxious all the time?

Dahlia’s squeezed the plastic takeout container too hard, causing several fries to spill on the floor. Grumbling at the wasted fries, she bent to gather them up. A sharp, snappingnoise startled her, followed by another. In slow motion, she watched spiderweb cracks form across the window.

It must have been only seconds, but it felt like forever. The world slowed as her brain reconciled the noises with what she was seeing, and then she was in motion.

Another bullet hit the glass.

“Luke!” Dahlia screamed and dropped to the ground.

The door to the bedroom flew open, and Luke appeared dressed only in athletic shorts, his hair wet from the shower. “Don’t come out here! Someone is shooting!”

Dahlia covered her head with her hands, trying to make herself as flat as possible. The sounds stopped. Was the gunman waiting for her to stand up?

“Dahlia!” Luke’s voice was hoarse. “Can you crawl over here?”

“I think so,” her voice quavered. But when her brain told her limbs to move, nothing happened. Dahlia whimpered, peeking up at him from the floor. “I can’t!”

Luke’s face was drawn, holding raw emotion in check. “It’s okay. I’ll come to you.”

“You can’t.” Hot tears slid down her face. “You’ll get shot.”

Even as the words left her mouth, she saw Luke lower himself to the ground and inch his way toward her. Her breath sounded harsh as she tried to keep the sobs at bay. Crying wouldn’t help.

Luke stopped when he was directly in front of her. He lifted his head to meet her eyes and stretched out his hand. “Give me your hand, beautiful. I’ll help you.”

Dahlia willed her hand to rise and take his, but she was paralyzed. “I can’t,” she gasped as a sob broke free.

“Look at me,” Luke commanded.

Swallowing hard, Dahlia lifted her eyes. Charcoal eyes met hers, and some of the panic subsided at the confidence in them.

“I’ve got you.” He gave her a small smile. “Trust me. I’m going to get us out of here.”

Dahlia gave a tiny nod, and her fingers slid forward across the rug, until his large hand enveloped hers. “That’s it. Good girl. I think he’s gone, but I need to call for help, okay?”

She managed another nod and was rewarded with another smile. He squeezed her fingers.

“I don’t have my phone,” she whispered.

“Me, either.” Luke’s eyes glowed back at her. “New plan. We’re going to army crawl into the hallway by the front door. We’ll be protected from the windows there.”

Dahlia licked her dry lips. “I don’t know if I can do that.”

“I know you can.” Another smile.

Slowly, Luke maneuvered his body backward, keeping her hand in his. Concentrating on the warmth of his hand, Dahlia used her elbows to propel herself forward.

Reaching the alcove by the front door, Luke raised himself into a seated position, hauled her into his lap, and buried his face in her thick hair.

Pressed against his bare skin, Dahlia could feel the jackhammer pace of his heart. One arm came around her waist, the other held her head against the hard wall of his chest. It wasn’t until his arms trembled that she understood Luke had been as afraid as she was.

“Don’t cry, beautiful. It’s over. You’re safe now. I promise.” His words whispered into her hair made her realize she was still crying. Luke stroked his hand over her shaking shoulders as her tears soaked his chest.

“Luke!” James shouted, pounding on the door.

“We’re okay.” Luke reached up and flipped the deadbolt.