Page 27 of Josh Dalton

She opens the door and pulls me out of the car and into her arms.

“My poor girl, I’m so sorry. Things will improve after a good rest.”

She steps toward the house.

“I need my bag.”

She reaches into the backseat and grabs it.

“Let’s go.” She leads me to the house.

I love her place. It’s just like her—unique and very unexpected. The outside of the house looks like it should be condemned. Paint is peeling off the sides, but if you look closely, the windows are new, and the roof is in good condition.

The inside of the house is dramatically different from the outside. It’s like stepping into an antique store in France. She used to live in Europe, so a lot of her furniture and knickknacks are from there.

I normally gawk when I walk into Mary’s house, but today, I want to hide in bed and let the world pass me by. Mary understands because she takes me directly upstairs to a cozy bedroom colored in dark blues and grays. The room fits my mood perfectly.

“Rest,” she says and gives me a hug. “Come down when you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Mary.” She leaves, and I undress and slip my jammies on, get under the covers. I feel like I could sleep for days. But it’s taking a while to fall asleep. Can’t stop replaying last night in my head. I don’t understand how he could believe my mother. It hurts, and what’s worse, he left without saying anything. The tears fall again. I drift off to sleep with them staining my face.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

JOSH

I pound on the door, but there’s nothing. I pound again, trying to drive my fist through the wood.

She won’t take my calls, and now she doesn’t answer her door. GODDAMMIT!

I’ll have to wait her out. I back away until I hit a wall.She’ll have to come out eventually.

It doesn’t take long for me to become bored. I should go back to the office, but I’m determined to talk to Kim and fix things between us. I get strange looks from residents who walk past me. Fortunately, no one calls the cops. Yet.

I catch a break at the ten-minute mark. A woman gives me a double-take and marches over to me. She’s about my age, dressed in yoga pants and a sweatshirt. Your typical attire for a woman running errands.

“Are you waiting for Kim?”

“Yes.” I stand straight, hoping she can get Kim to come out of her place.

“She’s gone. Won’t be back until next week sometime.”

Gone? I didn’t think she would leave.

“Thanks,” I say instinctively and wander to the elevator. I’m going to my office to figure out my next move. Need to make some calls and find her.

I make the calls, and now I need to sit back and be patient. I’m killing time looking at a report when Ryder walks in.

“You are such an idiot,” he tells me while taking a seat across from my desk.

Still with the name-calling. Doesn’t he think I know by now what a terrible mistake I’ve made? I ignore him for now. Fuck him.

“You need to go find Kim,” he says. “My wife and her friends haven’t stopped bothering me about my idiot brother. They’re driving me crazy.”

He leans forward and places his elbows on his knees.

“I’m making everything right,” I tell him. “Once I find out where she is.”

“I can help you with that.” I’m sure he can. All-knowing Ryder Dalton. “She’s at Mary’s place,” he says. “Zoey said she’s staying there for a while. I’ll give you the address, and you can be on your way.”

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