Page 146 of Goodbye Note

“No?” he asked, amused.

“The ask was only to be nice.”

“Don’t be nice.” He slid his hand into mine as we walked to the dressing room. “How are we making this work? I only have one day off, and I have to be in D.C.”

“We can fly there before I fly out. Two nights alone is better than on the bus.”

His face bloomed into a smile.

“Rebel. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

I laughed, stepping forward when he dragged me closer. “Playing by the rules hasn’t gotten us anywhere in weeks.”

“I like this. I’m going to steal it by the end of the night.” He grabbed the front of my jean jacket when we got to the dressing room.

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

“Arik?” Kiernan interrupted from somewhere behind us.

He closed his eyes. “Yes?”

“If we hurry, he won’t be able to catch us,” I whispered.

“He’s already spotted us!”

“We can outrun him?” I pressed closer, sliding my arms around his middle.

“We need to talk about tomorrow’s schedule.”

“I’m taking the day off.”

“What?” Kiernan did a double take, finally processing my presence, I guessed.

“I can't spend all day doing shit and not have any time with Varian. So move it.”

“That’s going to cause a stir. I’m not sure half of it can be rescheduled…”

“Tell them I’m sick. I’m taking a fucking sick day.” Arik looked at me for confirmation.

I nodded, holding back a laugh.

“Fuck. This isn’t going to go over well.”

“I guess that’s what we pay you for.” Arik wasn’t having any of it. It felt good having him standing up for us.

They went back and forth for another minute, but Arik held his ground. We were out to my waiting car in another fifteen.

“Where are we going?” he asked, slumping into the seat when the door closed.

I didn’t blame him; it was a wonder we weren’t seen.

“John booked us a hotel, and he arranged for us to go in the back. The concierge is waiting to walk us up when we arrive.”

“We get two nights there?”

“One. I have to leave on the redeye to get back.”

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