ssa
es tense
lt like a t
the shared meals, the comfortable silence. T
a hollow shell, filled with Bella'
really. He' d been on a "sponta
His voice was insistent now, a subt
lat. "Your car's fine. Wha
ze darting away. "Ju
o go back to that apartment.
ever
urs. My entire escape pla
get away, wi
s narrowed, searching
ng. Just long eno
ught striking me. "I haven't eaten a
othed out. "Fine. There's that new Itali
was close to the
unspoken words. The city lights blurred
t my ribs. How do I do t
is jaw tight. He seemed on the verg
that... that bracelet. And the scarf. B
zed. A jarrin
n. His face ti
rview mirror. I saw the n
air conditioning. My finger brushed the haz
voice laced with forced pat
speaker. "Ethan! Oh, thank god! I'm stranded! My car bro
lled my eyes. Bella w
said, his voice softe
intense. "I have to
my express
e curb. I unlocked the car doors.
. "You're just... let
I said, my voice flat. "I
"Alissa, I can't j
I insisted. "Go.
n crossing his face. "Fine. But
door, and walked aroun
sual spot when you're done,"
the familiar SUV disappear
ape. It was all f
cket was confirmed. My bags
my watch. Pl
t, started the engine, and d
one buzzed with a flur
e ar
at the r
you didn
top playi
greasy pasta. I ordered
. He still thought he knew me. H
nt announced the f
a deep
, hit "Block," and then switc
ck in my seat, and slept soundl
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