Page 133 of In Case You Didn't Know
Mylene nods as though this is perfectly normal. Which it kind of is around here.
Five minutes later, we’re back in the car with two large coffees – decaffeinated for Skyler – along with a bag of emergency muffins.
Skyler starts the engine. “You ready for this?”
I pull my laptop out of the sleeve at my feet, ready to write on our way to New York as we head down the road toward the ferry, where the gates are open for us.
“I’m ready,” I confirm. “And I’m putting a horrific death in chapter thirty.”
Skyler glances at me. “Asher or Hudson?”
I look at the manuscript. I’m so close to the end. “I’m not sure. Possibly both of them in one amazing blaze of glory.”
She grins, putting her foot on the gas as the ferry captain beckons us forward. “Remind me to stay on your good side.”
“You’re always on my good side, Thelma,” I promise her. We’re really doing this. Going full rogue. While writing a book and without our phones.
It’s the twenty-first century version ofThe Heroine’s Journey. And I’m here for it. Even if my heart feels one beat out of sync the whole way there.
ASHER
West and Hudson stare at the draft agreement that my lawyer sent over for my approval, scowls pulling at both of their lips.
“There has to be another way,” Hudson says. He looks at West who just lifts his brows.
Because he knows as well as I do that there isn’t any other way. If I want to stop those videos from becoming public property, I have to give Annalise what she wants.
“I’m signing it tomorrow,” I tell him, my voice final. Even saying it feels like I’m cutting out a piece of my own heart. This company is everything I’ve built, everything I’ve bled for. And I’m giving it away. For a woman who doesn’t even know I’m protecting her.
Hudson mutters something that sounds suspiciously like ‘dumbass’ then pulls out his phone. “Whatever, I’m calling Skyler. She’s been quiet all day.”
“Maybe she’s enjoying her break from you,” West says, without looking up from the contract. “Not everybody wants a status check from you every fifteen minutes.”
Hudson ignores him, pointedly putting the call on speaker. It rings. Then rings some more.
And then Jesse answers, his voice sounding weirdly tremulous. “Hello?”
“Hey.” Hudson frowns. “Where’s Sky?”
“Oh. Ah. She’s um… resting. You know. Napping. Because of the baby. Doctor said rest is important and, uh, no phones. Very restful. Lots of pillows.” He sounds almost frightened.
“Are you at my place?” Hudson asks.
“Um no,” Jesse replies. “At mine.”
“She’s napping in your guest bed?” Hudson says, looking more confused than ever.
“That’s it. Yep. I’d hate to disturb her, you know how cranky she gets.” Jesse gives a half-laugh.
“Is Ayda there too?” Hudson asks. He’s starting to look panicky.
“Yep. She is. Say hi to daddy, Ayda.”
“Hi Daddy.”
The relief that washes over Hudson’s face is palpable. It wasn’t that long ago when he came to New York for a meeting and his daughter disappeared, after all. “Hey baby. You okay?”
“Yep, Uncle Jesse let me have unicorn poop ice cream.”
