ssa

es tense

lt like a t

the shared meals, the comfortable silence. T

a hollow shell, filled with Bella'

really. He' d been on a "sponta

His voice was insistent now, a subt

lat. "Your car's fine. Wha

ze darting away. "Ju

o go back to that apartment.

ever

urs. My entire escape pla

get away, wi

s narrowed, searching

ng. Just long eno

ught striking me. "I haven't eaten a

othed out. "Fine. There's that new Itali

was close to the

unspoken words. The city lights blurred

t my ribs. How do I do t

is jaw tight. He seemed on the verg

that... that bracelet. And the scarf. B

zed. A jarrin

n. His face ti

rview mirror. I saw the n

air conditioning. My finger brushed the haz

voice laced with forced pat

speaker. "Ethan! Oh, thank god! I'm stranded! My car bro

lled my eyes. Bella w

said, his voice softe

intense. "I have to

my express

e curb. I unlocked the car doors.

. "You're just... let

I said, my voice flat. "I

"Alissa, I can't j

I insisted. "Go.

n crossing his face. "Fine. But

door, and walked aroun

sual spot when you're done,"

the familiar SUV disappear

ape. It was all f

cket was confirmed. My bags

my watch. Pl

t, started the engine, and d

one buzzed with a flur

e ar

at the r

you didn

top playi

greasy pasta. I ordered

. He still thought he knew me. H

nt announced the f

a deep

, hit "Block," and then switc

ck in my seat, and slept soundl