Page 96 of Marrying the Billionaire

He hands me his without question, his sober expression mirroring what’s running through my head.

I type in her number, holding it up to my ear, but it doesn’t even ring before an automated voice tells me the number’s been disconnected.

An unsettling wave washes over me, the back of my neck prickling. “Something’s wrong.”

“What is it?”

“I can’t call Serena. It says her phone’s disconnected. I think mine is too.”

His dark brows narrow. “What?”

“I- I don’t know.” I run a hand through my hair, over and over trying to figure it out, calling my number too only for it to give me the same disconnected message. Wait. I should call Lori. Duh.

I type her number in on Connor’s phone and thankfully it rings. When it kicks over to voicemail, I hang up and try again, knowing she won’t answer calls from numbers she doesn’t recognize. Oh well, Lori. You’re answering this time.

It goes to voicemail a second time and I simply hang up and repeat. I can do this all day.

“What is it?” she answers grumpily the third time. “You’re obviously not a robocaller.”

“Lori, it’s Archer.”

“Oh, sorry, I- Wait. This isn’t your number.”

“It’s my brother’s. Listen, I need you to do me a favor. I know it’s early, but can you head over to the apartment and check on Serena? I can’t get hold of her.”

“She’s probably sleeping,” she says, a bit of attitude in her voice. “She doesn’t like waking early.”

Apparently, I was the only one who didn’t know that. “I still want you to check on her.” And maybe I can get an answer as to why her phone’s turned off.

“She was fine when I left yesterday afternoon. What’s going on?”

“I- I have a bad feeling,” I admit, knowing it sounds stupid.

“You never have feelings.”

“Lori, please. Can you go there now? Take off a few hours early to make up for it, I don’t care.”

“Okay, okay. I’m getting dressed.”

A small part of me eases. “Call me back on this number. My phone’s not working. And ask her if she’ll talk to me. Wake her if you have to. Please.” I still can’t rule out the possibility that she’s just mad.

“Aye aye, captain.”

I chuckle and hang up, catching Connor’s widened eyes.

“You begged her. I’ve never heard you beg.”

I make the mistake of looking out the window, a motorcycle dangerously close to us weaving in and out of traffic. “This is important.”

“She means that much to you?”

“Yes.” The word comes instinctively, an absolute certainty within me.

“Why didn’t you tell me? The last time you talked about her, you just said you were getting along well.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “Sorry I don’t talk to everyone about my feelings.” Talking about them with one person has been a revelation enough.

“I’m sure everything is fine. Maybe it’s a glitch in the service.”

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