Page 182 of Chasing Infinity

I wrap my arms around my middle and give him a smile. “Take your time. I want you to focus on getting better, don’t worry about a thing here.”

“I’m not sure if that’s possible, but I’ll try,” he says, holding up the bag. “Thanks again.”

I see him out the back door, ensuring he gets to his car okay. As soon as he drives away, I hurry back inside to try and figure out where we’re at for the day.

The day flies by in a flurry of madness. Running the diner short-staffed isn’t the easiest of tasks, but we make it work. I find myself running orders and cleaning tables where needed. By the end of the day, my feet are aching, and my head is throbbing from the stress.

“You sure you’re okay if I take off?” One of my employees asks timidly, peering into my office where I’m counting the rest of the cash taken in today.

I look up and give her a tired smile. “Of course, Emily. Head on home. Thanks for all your hard work today.”

She smiles at me and gives me a little wave. Not long after, I hear the front door jingle, telling me she’s gone, and the diner is quiet. I finish counting the cash and complete a few other closing duties before I’m finally ready to leave.

The idea of going over to Jordan’s party tonight makes me even more exhausted. I check the time and decide I can run upstairs to the apartment and clean up before heading over there. Maybe I can even get a short cat nap in. Noah’s not due for another hour and a half, maybe two hours. I can get some rest before having to head over to the bar.

I grab my things and flick off the lights in the diner before leaving through the front door.

My fingers fumble with my keys a little, frozen from the cold. “Oh, come on,” I grumble as I continue to struggle. Finally, I find the right key and stick it in the lock, giving it a forceful twist. I give the knob a wiggle to ensure it’s locked, and then I stick the keys in my pocket before turning around.

I come to a full stop when I see someone standing right in front of me. He’s dressed in all black, a hood covering his eyes and face.

“Can I—” my voice shakes, and I clear my throat, my eyes glancing up and down the street for any bystanders, but there’s no one. The street is empty. “Can I help you?”

“Are you Addison Parks?” he asks me. His voice is gravelly and rough, the deep timbre sending the. Hair on the back of my neck standing straight up.

Against my better judgment, I nod my head slightly. He has me trapped. I get the feeling that he was merely only asking for the sake of pleasantries. Why else would he be lurking behind me in the dark if I wasn’t who he was looking for?

My blood thrums heavily through my body, and I steel myself to run, but he beats me to it. Before I even get the chance to take a step, he raises his arm and strikes me against the side of the head.

Sharp pain clambers through my skull, and my body stiffens as I fall to my knees. I let out a startled cry, my arms flying up to protect myself as he raises his hand once more, gearing up to strike again.

And then everything goes black.

Chapter 47

Noah

The bar bumps with loud music as I walk in. I take a minute to accustom myself before pushing through the crowds. I’m not sure what I expected from this party, but this wasn’t it. Maybe I was thinking more along the lines of finger sandwiches and teacups. I should’ve known better. This is Jordan we’re talking about, after all.

I scope out my friend standing by a table piled with gifts. Rose is standing next to him, tucked closely into his side. Her face is lit up in a smile as she talks to someone, her hand rubbing her rounded belly affectionately.

Jordan calls out my name as soon as he sees me, and I plaster on a smile as he pulls me into a hug. I clap my hand against his back. “Congratulations, man. So happy for the two of you.”

He pulls away and pats my shoulder, a look of pride beaming on his face. “Thanks, Noah. I appreciate it. Thanks for coming.”

“Of course. Hey, have you seen my girl around?” I ask Jordan, my voice raising slightly so he can hear me.

In turn, he gives me a confused look. “No, I thought she was coming with you. I haven’t seen her.”

My blood turns to ice, and I frown at him, not liking the uncomfortable feeling blooming low in my gut. “You haven’t seen her? At all?”

“No, man, sorry,” Jordan says, unaware of the implications of what he’s telling me.

I stare at him for a second more, processing what he told me. Then I pat him on the shoulder and turn away, pulling my phone out of my back pocket and calling Charlie’s number. He answers on the second ring.

“What’s up?” his deep voice comes through the phone. “Where are you? A rave?”

“Have you talked to Addison?” I ask him, ignoring his question.

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