Page 26 of The Lodge

I write a question in my journal: Was Sebastian still represented by Jason Saenz-Barlowe when he agreed to that reality show? Was he pressured into doing it somehow, or was he just desperate to stay in the public spotlight at any cost? Was the twist ending really his own idea? If so, he’s smarter than I’ve given him credit for.

I’m still making notes when something Sebastian says snags my attention:Do you want to know what the number one question is that people ask whenever they meet me on the street?

Yes, Sebastian. I do.

I hang on his every word, scribble out these revelations like they’ll evanesce into nothing if I don’t capture them:

As much as I hate to admit it, my career has been defined by Jett Beckett.

Jett tried to convince me to quit True North one time. I thought he was full of it, trying to sabotage me somehow.

Here’s a secret I’ve never told anyone, not ever.

Jett Beckett’s disappearance was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

And that’s it: the end of the recording.

These are the kind of statements that will sell a billion books.

I close my eyes, pinch the bridge of my nose. When the conspiracy theorists get hold of this, they’ll have an absolute field day. Sebastian’s alibi was rock solid, and the investigators repeatedly emphasizedthat there was zero reason to think foul play was involved in Jett’s disappearance—yet a small but vocal subset of the fandom refuses to accept that the case is closed, forever insisting there’s more to the story. This new revelation about thinking Jett was trying to sabotage him, though… some might see it as motive.

I believe Sebastian when he says he has no idea what happened to Jett Beckett, but he isn’t doing himself any favors with that final comment. I need to know what’s behind it so I can make sure he comes off in a way that won’t turn the entire fandom against him.

Would it be excessive for me to leave a third voicemail? At what point do I need to let Maribel, my editor, know I’m having a hard time getting Sebastian on a call and it’s slowing down my progress? Maybe his service is just super spotty in Tahiti.

I take out my earbuds and close my journal.

The sunlight has shifted, and so have the shadows. It must have stopped snowing at some point—and I’mstarving. I check the time: it’s been almost three hours since I made a new home for myself here on this blue velvet bench. Three hours since I devoured my (incredible) almond croissant, and my honey nut latte is long gone.

Makenna is gone, too, replaced by a guy whose height and limbs can only be described asadolescent giraffe. Not that he’s an adolescent—he’s probably in his early twenties—but he’s lanky, towering high above the espresso machine.

I take my phone off focus mode; I tweaked my settings last night to allow Sebastian’s number to break through at any time, even while I’m asleep, but everyone else stays muted until I turn it off. I’m relieved to see I’ve only missed one text all morning, and it’s from Chloe.

Hope you’re not working too hard! Can’t wait to hear how today’s ski lesson goes

Working a very appropriate level of hard, thank you, I write back.Otherwise I won’t have time to hang out when you come visit in a couple weeks!

In that case, ignore everything I said and get back to work! TWELVE HOUR DAYS FROM NOW ON! (But I hereby give you permission—nay, ORDERS—to make time for ski school with Tyler Last Name Unknown!)

Tyler Fox, I reply.Found that out last night!

Ohmygosh Alix!she writes, followed by a GIF of some adorable baby foxes playing in the snow.

“Excuse me, but are you Alix?”

I look up to see the adolescent giraffe towering over my table.

“Um… yes?”

He slides a napkin onto the table in front of me. “This is for you.”

There’s a note scrawled on it in black Sharpie.

You looked really focused—didn’t want to interrupt. Hope the book is going well! See you tonight. PS: Feel free to text at 555-253-9009

And then, the signature:Tyler :)

All the butterflies I tried to hide earlier, while talking with Makenna, come back in full force. I wasn’t supposed to meet anyone who made me feel this way—now issonot the time for distractions.

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