Page 120 of Things I Read About

“True.” She turns back to the bartender. “A champagne for me and something tame and fruity for my friend, please.”

“Everything all right, Sal?” Sadie asks when she arrives behind us at the bar.

“He’s in a suit,” I say.

“One that seems like it might come apart at the seams. That man is a tank.” Sadie smiles at me, teasing. Then her smile fades. “Ugh, a tank about to roll over my husband. Those two have been at it all week. I think if they quit glaring and flexing at each other they might actually be, like, buddies.”

“I don’t think the Assassin has buddies,” Kat says, handing me my drink.

“I think he’s just pissy because he misses his girl.” Sadie gives me a hug.

Kat holds up a finger. “Huh uh, none of that. Don’t you have people to go schmooze, superstar? Sally is not his girl, and she is not thinking about him tonight. She and I are living our best single-hot-girl life tonight, eating and drinking here, then after-partying somewhere much more fun before coming back to enjoy the one-million-thread-count hotel sheets. Right, doc?”

“Right,” I say, but I can hear there’s no conviction in my voice. Which is why Kat is here. She’s my conviction for the night.

“Okay. No more assassin talk. But if youwerewearing this dress to make him regret everything he’s ever said and done in his whole life, I’d say mission accomplished.” She juts her chin out toward the other corner of the room. By the time I look, though, Nate is already walking in the other direction, talking with Dean, who is pointing around the space.

“They’re, uh, focused.” Kat sounds nervous.

“Yes. All week, it’s been tense. I’m so ready for this to be over.” Sadie sounds exhausted. “But the show goes on. See you later.” She flits away in a wispy green dress that I know she matched to Shep’s eyes.

I roll my own hazel pair, annoyed with how in love they are. I’m also smiling, though, because I’m happy for them, too.

But my smile wavers when I see a woman pass through my line of sight. The fine hair on my arms stands on end. She has dark hair, but that’s really all I could see, yet she seems familiar. But why would seeing an acquaintance interfere with my sympathetic nervous system? Odd. Very odd.

Kat walks toward our table so I follow. I look around for the woman, but I didn’t even note the color of her dress. Just long dark hair that was down. Maybe she is a friend from school or someone in the medical community that I’ve met before. My body calms as we reach the table and take our seats. If something is amiss, Dean or Nate will catch it.

We listen to the presenters and wait for the dinner to come out. Everyone’s attention is directed to the side stage where they plan to have a concert. As I turn, my phone buzzes many times, which is odd, unless my sisters are texting. I decide to check, just in case there’s something going on with Dad’s health. I unlock my phone and

What?

How?

I hear screaming.

My screaming.

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My knees give out, but I don’t fall.

The images on the screen are of me in Shep’s house. Me and Nate and Katniss and blood.

Me and Nate almost kissing in the hallway.

Me playing piano.

Dean standing beside me at the dress shop in Dallas.

Dean walking through the library with me.

And they have text.

It doesn’t matter who tries to stand in my way.

You will be mine.

Each of you will be mine.