Page 72 of The Drummer

After hours of work—andplenty of flirting—we’re both hungry, so I offer to get us dinner.

With Callie’s key in my wallet, I take off in search of sustenance.

We could have ordered in. But honestly? I needed a break. As much as I love spending time with Callie, I’m feeling a little claustrophobic in that suite. After experiencing the walls closing in for just a couple days, it makes me even more worried for Luke. He’s spent weeks, maybe months, like this.

The brisk air feels good as I stroll down the street. It’s amazing what a little fresh air and sunlight can do for the spirit. While it’s great Luke let Callie into his life more literally, maybewe need to convince him to resume breakfast club so he gets at least a few minutes of daylight.

Speaking of breakfast club…

I go numb when I realize what I did. Somehow I ended up in front of that diner. It wasn’t on purpose, but now that I’m here, I have a driving need to see inside.

I peer through the clear glass windows, searching for anything that makes this place more than a casual urban restaurant. Something brought Luke here. Of all the locations in the world, this is the destination he chose to fracture apart and expose his pain to the world.

I think back to what that employee Ailee said.

“Luke had been coming in to stand around…”

If I squint hard enough, I can picture his ghost, hovering between two tables as it stares at… what? What was he searching for?

I shake off the disturbing image and keep walking before I become the next hovering weirdo.

Maybe Callie knows. I’ll have to ask her later.

Once I’m a safe distance from the diner, I pull out my phone to check the map for Adaline’s. I saw the pin on an earlier search so I know it’s close. They have the best burgers. Now that Callie’s been exposed to good champagne, she has to have a good burger.

According to the notifications, I have two missed calls. Weird. They must have come in while Callie and I were working.

When I see the name, I return it immediately.

My sister Molly answers on the second ring. “Casey, hey! I’ve been trying to reach you.”

“I know. That’s why I’m calling you back.”

Molly chuckles. “Right, yeah.”

“What’s going on? Is everything okay? Wait, aren’t you supposed to be in Europe?”

“Yes. And I am, but…” She goes quiet, and my stomach drops. “Did you talk to Mom recently?”

“Mom? No. You know I don’t really talk to her.”

“Yeah, it’s just…” She takes a deep breath. “Nate called me to catch up tonight. Well, the afternoon for you. He mentioned Luke was back. Multiple people saw him around.”

“Really? That’s odd, because Luke is with me on the other side of the country.”

“Hang on. Are you serious? He’s back?”

“Sort of. Still trying to figure that out.”

“Oh.”

I intentionally don’t tell her in which city. It’s bad enough I had to come back to this haunted place. I’m not putting that on Molly. Especially not until I figure out what’s going on.

“Is that really why you called me fromEurope?To tell me someone thinks they saw Luke. I mean, you know I love hearing from you, Mol, but shouldn’t you be drooling over castles and shit?”

She laughs, and I can hear the eye-roll in it. God, she and Callie are so much alike. They’re going to love each other.

The strange thought plummets through my heart. Did I really just think about introducing Callie to my favorite sister? I’m not sure I even know Callie’s last name.

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