I Know Lucy (A Fugitive #1)(71)

I jerked out of my seat and paced into the kitchen. “How the hell am I supposed to do that when I know she’s out there facing who knows what?”

“Hey, if she made it here on her own, she’ll be okay. She was a strong, independent chick.”

“Yeah, I know.” I closed my eyes, leaning against the counter and dipping my head. I wanted her to need me. Was that stupid? I just hated the idea of her fending for herself. It was killing me.

I listened to Elliot rise from his seat and quietly approach me. “I know this sucks, dude. I know you want her back, but you can’t let Dani rob you of your year. You still have SATs to pass. You can’t flunk out now.” He slapped his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “You need to focus on graduating. Maybe once the summer rolls around, you and I can go on a Dani-hunt or something. But for now…you have to let her go.”

Elliot was right. I didn’t want him to be, but that didn’t change the facts.

I gave him a stiff nod.

“I’m here if you need anything. You know that, right?”

“Yeah.” I flicked his hand off my shoulder and playfully shoved him away from me.

He grinned back and took a swipe at my head.

“You tell anyone about this conversation, you’re a dead man.” I pointed at him.

“Absolutely! I don’t want people finding out about my soft side. My whole rep will go up in flames. You better not blab, Schultz or your ass is grass.” He pointed at me.

My chuckle was stolen by a touch of sincerity. “Thanks, man. Thanks for being there for me.”

“I always will. Even if you did stand me up for a girl.”

“Never again.” I shook my head, my resolve strengthening. Elliot was right. I needed to get over myself…and Dani. Wallowing was not helping me. I had to let it go.

I knew it wasn’t that simple. It would take time, but with friends like mine, I had a much better chance of making it.





Chapter 35





ZACH


June 2014





Graduation had come and gone. I’d passed with flying colors as everyone expected me to. The final few weeks of the year had flown by in a blur. Life had been too busy to mope and the files that had lived on the floor beneath my bed, the files I had pulled out on a nightly basis, were now stashed away on a top shelf of my closet. I knew myself well enough to know I’d pull them out again sometime, but for now they had been laid to rest.

Uncle Alex hadn’t contacted me again. I assumed his deadlines were still looming and he hadn’t gotten back to the files. It was actually a relief.

I still thought about Dani every day. The way her blue eyes would study me, the way her soft lips would curve at the corners and how deliciously warm her tongue felt against mine. I didn’t think I’d ever get over her completely. I’d never stop thinking about our time together, about how I could have fallen in love with her…or how I probably had, but never thought to admit it.

I missed her.

I wanted her back, but that was not going to happen and so life went on.

Elliot and I had a big summer planned. We were taking the girls camping for a week while AJ went to some summer cooking school. We also had plenty of events planned at my place. My parents had left two days ago, flown off to Europe for their second honeymoon. It was actually a relief to see them go.

The house was quiet and I liked it that way. I tipped the rest of my coffee into the sink and checked my watch. Elliot was busy with his dad today and the girls had gone off on some shopping spree. I told AJ I might stop by the restaurant for dinner, but I didn’t know if I could be bothered.

The doorbell rang.

I frowned, wondering if it was the girls coming to show me their purchases. Surely not. Did I really have to deal with that? That was a boyfriend’s job. I plastered on a grin wanting to be a good sport and flung the door open.

My smiled fled, as did the air in my lungs.

“Hi, Zach.” Her voice was whisper soft…and beautiful.

I couldn’t speak. I swallowed past the lump in my throat, gripping the door and just staring at her. She looked terrible. Her hair was a scraggly mess down her back, her blue eyes looked tired and bereft of hope. Her lips were dry and peeling and her hands wouldn’t stop shaking as she squeezed them together.

“I um…” She licked her bottom lip. “It’s been… Well…”

“What are you doing here, Dani?”

She winced as I said her name.

“I know I don’t have a right to be standing at your door. There’s no apology big enough to make up for running away like that and there’s no apology big enough for coming back.” She grimaced. “I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.” Her chin trembled as she sucked in a breath. “I’m scared and running’s always kept me safe in the past. But it doesn’t seem to matter how far I go, I…you…” She paused, her lips quirking to the side. “You are impossible to run away from.”

My heart did a little somersault before taking off for the Grand Prix.

She tucked a grimy strand of hair behind her ear with a dirty finger. “I guess I just couldn’t live with…” She blinked rapidly, looking down to the ground. I still couldn’t find my voice. I wanted to know what she had to say and I didn’t want my words getting in the way.