Page 39 of The Arrangement

She points at her crossword book and the pencil beside it. I take it and write my name and number on the inside of the front cover, then I place it back on the table. She gives me her number, and I add it to my phone.

“If you need anything, call me, okay?” I ask. “And I mean that. We’re friends now.”

“Thank you, Jason. It was nice meeting you.”

“You, too.”

A lock snapping and a door swinging open rings through the room. Mimi and I exchange a glance.

“Meems, I’m back,” Chloe says, her footsteps growing closer. “I found the—Jason?”

Her eyes are wide, her mouth open. She drops the small box in her hand.

I shove my hands in my pockets and don’t say a word.

I didn’t have a vision of how it would look when I saw Chloe, but this wouldn’t be it if I did. It would’ve been easier if she hadanswered the door or if she had been here when I came inside. At least we could’ve been surprised together.

“What are you doing here?” she asks, glancing quickly at her grandmother. She returns her attention to me as she picks up the box. “Please. Enlighten me.”

“I was worried. You didn’t return my calls or show up, and that’s not like you.”

She laughs nervously. “Yeah, well, sounds like someone has control issues to me.” She hands Mimi the box and then squares her shoulders to mine. “Let me walk you out.”

“It was nice meeting you, Mimi,” I say.

“And you’re calling her Mimi?” Chloe lifts a brow before turning to the front door. “I leave for twenty minutes …”

Mimi winks at me, entertained by the situation. Chloe, on the other hand, is not.

She ushers me into the hallway, letting the door slam behind her. A woman walking our way jumps at the sound.

“What the hell, Jason?”

She’s so hot when she’s pissed.

I smile at her, hoping for one back. That doesn’t happen.

“What are you doing here?” she asks with a hand on her narrow hip.

“Excuse me,” the woman says, reaching us. “Are you Chloe Goodman?”

Chloe blows out an exasperated breath. “Yes.”

“I have this for you.” She hands her an envelope. “Have a good day.”

“You, too,” Chloe mutters, ripping the envelope open. She unfolds a document. Her brows pull together as she reads it. “Oh my God.”

“What?”

She clenches her teeth together and folds the letter angrily. When her eyes meet mine, they’re filled with tears—angry ones, I think.

“Is everything all right?” I ask, my head spinning.Is this her life? One disaster after another?

“You know what? No. It’s not all right. But it will be.”

“Can I help?”

She sighs, rolling her head around her neck. “Thank you, Jason, but no. You can’t help. How did you even get my address?”