Page 113 of Be My Compass

“That’s why you’re the best, Hal."

“Your mom said the same thing. I’m starting to wonder if that’s a Jameson line.”

“You talked to mom this morning?”

“Yeah she wanted to thank me for getting her that building on Habot and Third.” He laughs. “That was a tricky case.”

The phone almost slips from my fingers when his words register. An invisible fist creeps into my chest and squeezes. “You said she bought the building?”

“Yeah. Well, she took it over. Bid aggressively and got the tenants removed.” He pauses. “She didn’t tell you?”

“I’ll call you back.” I hang up with the lawyer and quickly dial Brenna.

She answers groggily. “Hello?”

“Did you and Kae get kicked out of your building?”

“Kastle?”

“Did you?”

“Yeah, but… what time is it?” She yawns. Curses. “Kastle, what the hell? Why are you calling me this late at night?”

“When?” I put her on speaker and navigate to Kaelyn’s Instagram as I wait for her answer.

“When? Um… about two days ago.”

My thumb stalls on the pictures Kaelyn uploaded of the two of us.

Me staring at her.

Kaelyn smiling up at me.

The caption.

The heart emojis.

The date.

Two days ago.

“Kastle, I’m exhausted,” Brenna says grumpily. “If you want more details, go ask your girlfriend.”

Something cold and dark floods my body. I grip my phone tightly and mumble, “Don’t worry. I will.”

Twenty-Five

Kaelyn

The cashier gives me a knowing smile as she rings up the candles. “Planning something special?”

“I just really love candles.”

“Mm-hm.” Her lips inch up.

The bouquet of roses crackles loudly as she picks it off the belt and scans it.

“Really love roses too?”

---