gone, Yvaine dragge

e had predicted every single t

idering salvaging my

en sleeping together behind my back all along. And me? I was just

faked her disappearance four years ago? What ex

my head toward the sky

could all reunite like a happy little four

e there tonight. I didn't even know Catherine

I. But I heard it loud and clear-they've been screwi

ll your parents. Let them know Catherine's not the perfect angel they think sh

s were the only people who had supported me. But he was th

"You know better than anyone-they only care about Cat

kening her gaze. "So what now? You're

, a weariness weighing it down. "Maybe

ws knitting in frustration. "Mira, my agent just called. There's a

ile. "Go. Don't worry about m

he driver my home address. But barely two minutes into

Take me to a bar. Any bar. Ju

used to the erratic demands of

s. A crowd of influencer-types wielding selfie sticks. I didn't bother

ht to

. Large. Keep

w down," the bartender said

counter and shoved my card acr

er sighed b

me. "Too much alcohol can impair cognitive function and judgm

irritated-

was

The one who'd handed me my keys with all t

a teasing smile tugging at my lips. "You rea

fazed. "Think of it as a well-dev

You're a hero, truly. But I d

taking a slow sip. His eyes were clear and sharp

eat all your neighbors? First

when the neighbor looks like she's

suddenly quieter. "Doesn't it seem kind of pathetic

to reassure me, either. He did

he was watching a slow-motion disaster u

u are pretty good at making a mess of things. Like right now-you c

rowning in

e was flipping through a book and had lan

et someone who refuses to walk away..

ock, half in suspicion. "Ar

t amount of mischief. His voice came out smooth and provocative, li

g, just a little dangerous. He looked at me with an intensity that felt nearly uncontrollable, like

flushed instantly. My fingertips ti

t him properly.

y that no amount of cologne and hair gel could fake. Not the kind you'd find amo

d thought flashe

as rejecting one of those rare, merciful

ed around the sleeve of his suit jacket.

but firm, "since you're so committed t

y, surprise flickering across his face-but he didn't ste

is is something you won't

answered witho

, I pulled him through the

like a cleansing slap, ci

ause. No time to thin

eet. Entered the n

if I had the courage to accept w

through the curtains, and the red LED numbers of the digital clock blinked 10:07 AM

mot and sin-and my body buzzed from the

and thought: That was ab

ghts you, and makes you stupid

e-in the best, mo

e drilling through my skull. The alcohol from last night had declared mutiny, and my

h I drank-definitely

ed into a fog thicker

roaned again. Began gathering th

dressed. Sneak out. Pre

up my skirt when a

ng so

h

and the shame-and saw him standing in the bat

hing the morning light, trailin

ed. Un

rged back into my brain. I sudd

to talk,"