Page 40 of Winter Glam in Amsterdam

"I should really come with you," he insists, and I sigh, linking my arm with his and letting him guide me out of my hotel room.

"If it makes you feel better." The tight smile on his face is tainted with sadness, and I pinch the bridge of my nose. "If," I quickly add, "you'll grant me some alone time once we're back."

He opens his mouth to object, but I immediately shake my head.

"I'm fine, Dad. I did a little research earlier, and apparently, these drugs don't stay in your bloodstream for long. It's afternoon already. I'll be fine." Luca had called Adam to ask if he knew about the drugs the police found and luckily, he at least remembered part of the name so I could check.

His eyebrows knit together in worry. "You don't seem too steady on your feet yet, Love."

"I also haven't eaten today yet," I remind him, realizing too late that it's not really an argument in my favor.

"We should really get you some food," he fusses, and I exhale a deep sigh and shake my head.

"I'm well, but notthatwell yet. I feel like I would puke it right back out. Really, Dad, relax, I've had hangovers that felt worse."

To be completely honest, I haven't. Even hangovers that kept me bedridden for the whole day didn’t feel as icky as I do right now.

But if it takes a bit of worry off his shoulders, this little white lie is well worth it. And contrary to Mom, Dad doesn’t catch me in all of them, though he does shoot me a sceptical look.

Once the elevator doors open in the lobby and we step out, my dad spots the Walker brothers sitting on two couches right next to the entrance, talking animatedly and bursting into laughter that quickly dies down once we approach. I grimace. Like I was saying, eggshells.

"I can't thank you enough," my dad says as he approaches them, and they jump to their feet. "Seriously, guys. Thank you."

"Of course," Adam quickly assures him, taking his outstretched hand and shaking it with a firm grip.

"Thank you, guys," I add, sheepishly scratching the back of my neck, embarrassment making my cheeks burn. It feels so dumb in hindsight. How naïve was I to go drinking with a stranger? How could I let jealousy over Tanner’s admirer get the best of me?

“I really don't want to imagine what would have happened if you hadn't stepped in.”

"Well, thank God we'll never find out," Adam says and squeezes my shoulder reassuringly, a kind smile on his face. "You know, we have a sister too, and just the thought of—" All four of them take a sharp breath. "You're more than welcome," he finishes.

"Are you guys on your way out?" Reed asks, looking at Dad and me curiously.

"Yes, we’re going on a little walk," I say, swallowing a sigh. Even though I try really hard, my eyes keep jumping back to Tanner. And without fail, I always catch him looking right back at me, making my heart race whenever our eyes meet.

"That's a good idea," Adam says.

My stomach growls and all of us burst into a chuckle, the tension from our heavy conversation slowly dissipating.

After thanking them again, I turn around to finally get that fresh air.

Because how has it suddenly become hot in here? Or does it just feel that way because of Tanner's stare burning into the back of my head?

Tanner

"Man, she hasn't left her room since yesterday," Luca says, sounding like he lost his puppy as he reaches for his coffee. "Millie and Kayla are with her right now, but Millie says Summer seems annoyed, if anything." Another sigh falls from his lips. "When we arrived, she'd been joking about spending the whole holiday in the hotel, but I never thought that would actually happen."

All of us guys are sitting in the dining room, huddled around a round table to catch up, but it quickly turned into trying to figure out how to help Summer.

Adam and Jackson are sitting next to each other, both with their arms crossed over their chests, worry carving deep wrinkles into their foreheads.

They would never admit it, but I know the thought ofwhat if this happened to Zoeymust be on their minds ever since the evening Summer was drugged.

The only difference being, that Zoey is halfway across the world right now, all on her own, and we can't look out for her because she's been pushing us away ever since she went to university.

"Give her some time," Adam suggests, his jaw twitching. "It just happened, let her come to terms with it. Maybe she just needs to sleep off some more aftereffects."

"Maybe talking to the girls will also help," Asher adds, making everyone around the table nod.

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