Page 68 of About That One Night
I stare at him, my heart pounding, a mix of surprise and terror flooding my veins. “How do you know?”
Cal grins. “I didn’t, but you just confirmed my suspicion.” He laughs. He fucking laughs at me.
“Listen, I have other people who can do this job. Get the fuck out of here and fix whatever you broke,” he says, his tone suddenly serious.
“How do you know I broke anything?” I ask, my voice defensive. I mean, he’s not wrong, but what the fuck?
He laughs again, shaking his head. “Because you’re that stupid. I doubt you hugged her or told her that you’ll be there for her. Knowing you, you tried to see how you’d make this not your fault.”
“I . . .” I shut my mouth, heat rising to my cheeks. “It’s instinctive, you know.”
He nods. “Yeah, but haven’t I told you many times to use your brain before you use your fucking mouth. It could save you from a lot of trouble.”
“Like you think before you act,” I mumble, rolling my eyes.
“Not the point. As I said, go figure out what’s going on—take some time off,” he proposes, leaning forward in his chair.
I nod, feeling a glimmer of hope. Then a thought hits me. “She hasn’t told anyone, so keep it between us for now?” I’m not sure why I’m even asking instead of telling him to keep his mouth shut.
He nods, his face serious. “Obviously. I’m pretty sure Lily’s gonna ask Ethan to kill you. So either you fix this shit soon or change your identity and run far and fast before he finds you.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Maximillian
MaxMc: Where are you?
Zoe: Go away Maximillian.
MaxMc: I thought weagreed that we’d talk.
Zoe: I had plenty of time to think about it and I don’t want to talk with you.
MaxMc: We agreed to have dinner—at my place.
Zoe: It’s not even lunchtime, but also, you’re the one who agreed. I thought about it and decided not to go.
MaxMc: Don’t make me look for you, Harper.
Zoe: Is that a threat?
MaxMc: No. I would never threaten you. I’m asking you to make this a little easier so we can have a conversation.
Zoe: I already tried that and your response was . . . shit. Zero-out-of-zero recommended.
MaxMc: I agree. I was a very stupid man. You told me I had a choice to be as involved as I wanted, right?
Zoe: Yeah . . .
MaxMc: Well, my involvement starts now, by taking care of my baby’s mama.
Zoe: Don’t call me that.
MaxMc: Are you going to make me look for you?
Zoe: I’m heading to Lily’s gallery. It seemed like a good day to go out for a walk.
MaxMc: Send me your location, and I’ll pick you up.
