Page 50 of The Two Last Moments

Through it all, Aidan slides pieces of chicken, onion, and bell pepper onto skewers, while Quinn sips her drink. They’re listening, but they’re not gawking at me. Just letting me tell my story.

“Danny asked me to stay with him and Nina so I wouldn’t get sent to a group home or mental institution. I’m sure a lot of people get the help they need in those kinds of places, but to me, it was pretty terrifying. I felt so alone. Danny was the only person I knew in the entire world.”

Quinn shakes her head. “No, I get it. I’m sure I would feel the same thing if I’d been in your shoes.”

“But Danny really went above and beyond with you, didn’t he?” Aiden says.

“I can’t argue there.”

I take a fortifying shot of tequila before telling them what happened next. How we thought we’d found my aunt and my real identity. How it all turned out to be a lie.

Now, my new friends aren’t acting so nonchalant. Quinn has gulped down the rest of her drink, and Aiden isn’t even trying to make his skewers anymore. He’s got his hands on the countertop and an indignant scowl on his face. “So it was all a set up to kidnap you? That’s pretty fucked. Has the guy come after you again?

“Assuming it’s the same person behind it all? No. It’s been three weeks now, and I’ve been staying close to Danny and Nina’s house. We haven’t seen or heard anything suspicious.”

Aiden nods thoughtfully. “If the guy thought you knew something and intended to keep you quiet, then finding out you’ve really lost your memory would take away his concern.”

“But she could eventually remember,” Quinn argues. “Makes sense that Danny is being protective.”

These are all thoughts I’ve run through a hundred times in the last few weeks. “All I know is that I can’t hide anymore. If I’m not going to remember everything I lost, then I want to move forward. Try to live some kind of life. You know?”

Quinn nods sympathetically.

Aiden says, “I get that Danny is worried and watching out for you. But you’re exactly right. You have to be able to live. After all that you’ve survived, you deserve that.” He announces all this matter-of-factly, then grabs his tray of kebabs. “I’m gonna head out to the grill.”

He pushes open the sliding glass door and walks out.

Quinn laughs. “That’s Aiden for you. Makes his opinion known, then takes off like he doesn’t care either way.” She tops up both our glasses. That tequila bottle is getting low.

“At least Aiden’s not jumping in to try to save me every five minutes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to Danny, more than I could ever say. But I can’t sort out how I feel about him, either. Why did he have to kiss so well? Why can’t he just be ugly and rude instead of freaking perfect and infuriatingly sexy?”

Oops. The tequila is loosening my lips even more than usual.

Quinn smiles and sighs. “What are we going to do with all these ex-military men? Can’t live with ’em, can’t stop noticing their sexy muscles.”

I nod my head at the patio door. “Did you and Aiden ever…”

“No. Not even close. I have a terrible track record when it comes to men. Do you know how it is when you fall for someone completely out of reach when you’re young, and you never get over it? And nobody else can ever measure up?”

I can’t imagine she’s talking about Danny. “Not exactly. But I can imagine.”

“It happened to me.”

“Who is this guy? A celebrity crush?” I hiccup, covering my mouth.

“If only. This is so much worse.” She grimaces and groans. “It’s embarrassing.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s twice my age. He would never dream of looking at me this way. And… he’s Cliff’s dad.”

“Hisdad? Scandalous. I’m intrigued. Does Cliff know?”

“No way. And he never will. I’ve been trying to get over this stupid crush on Rex Easton for more than a decade. It would be easier if the man could stop being so…edible. Yet he only gets better with age.”

“Okay, now I’mreallyintrigued. You have to show me a picture.”

She’s still grumbling, but she’s also grabbing her phone and scrolling through her photos app. Our heads bend together, arms touching.

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