Page 55 of Free Fall (The Quantico Files 3)

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Logan answered his phone almost immediately. “I wondered when you were going to call,” he said.

“Sorry. Had to eat something.”

“You skipped lunch, didn’t you?”

She chuckled. “Guilty. You know I rarely eat when you’re not there.”

“So it’s my job to keep you healthy?”

“I guess so. How are you doing?”

“Pretty good. Still trying to decide what to take. I don’t want to stay in the hospital any longer than I have to.”

“You just need the basics, I guess. Pajamas, underwear, slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo. Something to read. Music. Your reading glasses. Oh, and a charger for your phone. Kind of like a go bag with extras.”

Logan laughed heartily. “I should already know this from the last time we were in the hospital.”

“Believe me, I figured it out only after realizing everything I needed and didn’t have.”

“I hear you. But I’m counting on you to bring me anything I forget. I’ll give you a key to my place, okay?”

“Sure.”

“And if I have a hankering for a sandwich from Tony O’s?”

“Just ask and you shall receive.” She was having a hard time responding to him without actually lying. She hated not being completely honest with him. “Did you change your mind about calling your family?”

“No. I still plan to talk to them afterward. In case I’m not up to it right away, I’ve written down a list of names and numbers for you, if that’s okay. Maybe you could call them for me?”

Alex felt like a traitor. He was counting on her, and she wouldn’t be there. How could she do this? But she had no choice. Those missing women were counting on her too.

“Alex? Are you still there?”

“Yeah ... yeah, I’m still here.”

“You’re not getting emotional on me, are you?”

“No. I’m good.”

“I’ve been worried about you. You don’t seem like yourself lately. Can we talk about it?”

You mean can I tell you about waking up at night, sweating, unable to breathe, feeling like my heart will burst from fear? Can I tell you I feel like I’m falling through space and the only safe place to land is by your side? That I don’t know if I could go on without you? That there’s a chance you may never see me again after tomorrow?

Alex took a quick breath. “I’m fine. You’re imagining things. Why don’t you think about yourself for a change? It’s okay to focus on you for a while. I’m tired of conversations about me. It gets boring.”

“I don’t think it’s boring. I’m so glad I’ve had a part in your life. I hope it’s been good.”

“What are you saying? Been?” Alex choked on her words and couldn’t get anything else out.

“I ... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. Hey, this is a simple operation. It’s not life-threatening.”

“Logan, the doctor is about to cut your head open. That’s not a simple surgery.”

“Again, I’m so sorry, Alex. I’ve frightened you, and I didn’t mean to. I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“That’s a promise you’d better keep.”

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