pte

f my hair? » she as

o pull it back or leave it there. His eyes widened, and she could see the em

rubbing the back of his neck as if to

f it. It was the first time anyone had been this close to her, especially after the whirlwind of emotions she'd been rid

hanks. For the compliment and the hug. But I

. He had to leave the town, or else it could cost him his life. The thought of him lying cold and lifeless

the concrete in front of his bar. She could already see it

to ca

She hadn't seen Derek in days, and she certainly didn't have his personal number. He was back in thei

e of his lifeless body from her mind, but it lin

as to b

, Karina was completely alone. Sure, she had family members, but they'd made it very clear they wanted nothing to d

dom night at the club, when Sydney had nearly passed out

dn

d a beat. She co

elled, the words rushing out

r, blinking in co

» she insisted, her t

row. « My phone's i

still in her hand as if she hadn't reali

h Zach's contacts. She hadn't spoken to Sydney in a while

thought, she hit

y picked up on

rackled from the other end, loud enough that

e impatience in her friend's v

what I'm dealing

d between them, thick and uncomfortable, though they were miles apart. Stil

an? » Sydney roared again,

holding the phone close

i yelled back, her frustration rising. She wasn't in t

oftened, a bit of disbelie

andle. « Yes, it's Kari. Listen, Syd. Do not. I repeat. Do. Not. Tell anyone I'm with Zach. Pleas

, that I've left, but don't tell him where. Tell him that Stan is back and that he needs to leave town. ASAP. Oh, and I won't be able to

y wasn't stupid-she knew what Kari was asking of her, and she could feel the urgency behind

softened, concern creeping in, but Kari shook her head, kn

Please. Don't make

ce filled with reluctant understanding. « Fine. I'll take care of

't realize she'd been holding.

a look she couldn't quite decipher. His brow was furrowed,

ere was only sil

just asked of her friend. She rubbed her arms, feeling the

k? » Zach asked softly,

ugh she wasn't entire

orld. And as much as she wanted to believe everything would