The Atonement (The Arrangement, #3)(43)

“I’m afraid so.” I winced. “It’s likely terminal. I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do.”

She nudged me playfully, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “You’re such a dork.” Our eyes connected, and for just the moment, she seemed to forget to blink, her gaze trained on mine. The tension was back, but of a different variety.

I spoke softly, trying not to break the spell we’d both fallen under. “We could’ve been something great, couldn’t we? If we’d gotten the timing right.”

Her chest rose and fell with a heavy breath, and she gave me a pained stare. “Maybe so.”

I leaned forward ever so slightly, knowing with every bone and every nerve in my body it was the wrong thing to do. I didn’t even want to do it, really, but I needed to prove something to myself. And to her. She didn’t budge, watching me lean closer, and when I was nearly there, our lips nearly connected, my phone buzzed.

I jerked back, grateful for the interruption. Kissing Gina would be a mistake.

“I’m so sorry,” I said.

At the same time, she said, “We shouldn’t.”

I lifted my phone, checking the screen as a tingle swept across the back of my neck.

M

I opened the message, my breathing slowing.

“What is it?”

“Oh, nothing…” I whispered, so low I wasn’t sure she could hear me. So low I wasn’t sure I’d even said it aloud.

I read over the text again, the tension releasing from my shoulders instantaneously. It included a link to a hotel downtown. Was it possible? Had I really found her?

She’s in room 408. Wait for me… I have a plan.





CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN





AINSLEY





“Are you being good for your Aunt Glennon and Uncle Seth?” It was one of the only times I’d been away from all three of them for more than a night, and the distance was starting to bother me. I missed my children.

More than ever, I wanted to be with them. To be sure they were safe.

“Yes, Mom,” Maisy said with a playful groan.

“And how about your brothers? Are you guys having fun?”

“Yeah, we went to the Molly Brown House yesterday. It was really cool. Aunt Glennon said she’s going to take us to the botanical garden tomorrow too, if the weather clears up.”

“That sounds really nice, sweetheart.”

“When are you coming to get us, though? I miss you. Bailey and Janessa have been texting me like crazy. They’ve been together all fall break.”

“I know. Hopefully I’ll be able to get there soon. I just want to be sure you’re all having fun.” I didn’t tell her they weren’t coming home. Not yet.

“Uncle Seth bought me the new Karen McManus book. I can’t wait to tell Dad about it.”

Her words were an ice pick to my chest. Would she ever get to tell her father anything again? “Oh, that was nice of him,” I squeaked out.

A knock on the door interrupted my conversation. I stood from the bed, checking the time. It was just after six, and I wasn’t expecting anyone.

“Yeah, Jennessa said it’s even better than the first, which is, like…impossible, and—”

“Honey, I’m so sorry. I have to go, okay? I’ll call you back.” I kept my voice low, ending the call and dropping the phone on the bed before making my way across the room. I pressed my face to the door, peering out. When I saw who was waiting for me, my chest tightened.

“Matt?” I swung open the door, looking down the hall to be sure we were alone. “What are you doing here?”

“Sorry. I would’ve called, but I didn’t have your number, and… I guess I could’ve tried to call the hotel, huh? Hindsight, I guess. Um, sorry. I’m rambling. Is…is now a bad time?” He crossed his arms, then uncrossed them, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Um, depends on what you need, I guess.”

His smile was nervous. “I just thought…well, maybe we don’t have to call it a date, you know? Like, maybe we can just call it hanging out or whatever. I mean, you gotta be bored just hanging out in a hotel room. Let’s go grab coffee. Or a burger. My treat.” He ran a hand over his hair. “I know what it’s like to be in a not-so-good place, and you seem like you could really use the company. I know I could. I don’t really know anyone in town, so…” He looked around. “And feel free to tell me to leave you alone if I’m overstepping. I’m not trying to…whatever. I’d just really like to get to talk to you a little more, if you’d like that. No complications. No commitments. Just dinner.”

I forgot what I was planning to say the longer he spoke, all the reasons we shouldn’t do it suddenly fading away. It was just dinner, after all. What was the harm in it? Maybe it would be nice to spend time outside of my own head for once. And I couldn’t deny my curiosity.

I wouldn’t cross a line.

I swore to myself I wouldn’t—

“I can see you’re thinking about it, so the salesman in me has to try and sell you on one final point here: it’s a beautiful night, and a woman like you shouldn’t be so alone. I know you think I’m too young for you, but all I’m proposing is an hour. Food, drinks, maybe a light joke peppered in now and again. If you hate it, feel free to never speak to me afterward.” He lowered his head ever so slightly, so he was closer to my face. “But something tells me you won’t hate it.”