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Instead, I dropped aze and hurried away from her

The sight of Eave htness I’d felt in a few days

I had not been surprised to find that Vaughn’s hoht on the waterfront It was down the coast froht, and private Architecturally it was like , wraparound porches on the first and second floors, pretty garden But inside it was anything but traditional

It had a huge chef’s kitchen with high-end appliances, glossy floors, and contemporary furniture, all black, chrome, and white with splashes of color in the artwork and s

It was beautiful but cold

It was a bachelor’s house

But it was ot into town

No one had called And only Emery had texted me to see if I was okay Glad for a friendly face, I’d asked her to cohn’s to see me

“You ca the door for her

“Of course” She gavearound the open-plan space “Wow”

“I know”

“It was very kind of Mr Tremaine to let you stay here”

“Yes” It was And I wouldn’t forget it “He’s never here”

Tension I didn’t even know E seemed to melt out of her “Oh”

Daet over her timidity with men

I wished I’d be sticking around, period

Suddenly I found myself under E”

Every da silly “I can’t seem to stop”

Then, to ed me

I i as she set off more tears with her kindness

She heldsubsided “Let’s make some tea”

Thankfully, Vaughn had partially stocked the kitchen, but I was running out of food, and I was getting sick of takeout At sorocery store in town

Once we had our s of tea, we settled on the porch

“Wow,” Eht on the water”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Why doesn’t he stay here more often?”

“No clue” If it were my house I’d stay there all the damn time Of course, I’d have to redecorate

We were silent awhile as we sipped our tea and enjoyed the view

But I was only half enjoying the view I needed to know—“Is Cooper okay?”

She gave ”

“And?”

Emery winced “She’s quite mad at you”

“I know” I tried to ignore the ache inthe way she’d looked at“Did she mention Cooper?”

My friend nodded “He put so trip”

“Fishing trip” I was confused “Cooper doesn’t fish”

“I think he just needed to get away for a few days Small town Gossip—”

“Not wanting to run into one,” I whispered hoarsely

“I’m sorry”

“Don’t be, sweetie It’s my own fault”

“Bailey came to see me”

The thought of my friend caused another deep ache inside me “And?”

“She’s worried about you, Jessica, but she doesn’t feel like she can reach out to you without being shut out Perhaps you should call her”

“No” I shook my head stubbornly “It’s better this way”

My phone started ringing inside the house and for a second we looked at each other before I was up oninside for it

The anticipation I’d felt disappeared at the sight of the caller ID

Matthew calling

I had no intention of answering If I answered, he’d know so, and when I told him what, he’d only be mad at me and try to convince me I was insane

“Not Cooper?” Emery said softly from behind me

I turned slowly around and gave her a sad shrug “I don’t even knohy I want it to be hie my mind”

She sighed and gave me a look that made me tense

“What?”

“Wellthere are rumors”

Fear shot through e on ? “Whatwhat kind of rumors?”

“Ru on Cooper with Vaughn”

Oh My God

“Are you kidding?” I growled

“No I’m sorry”

“Because I’ here? Theyidiots!” I threw upworse than the town of Hartwell’s stupidity occurred to me “Does Cooper believe this?”

“No Bailey said no And she doesn’t, either”

How can they still have faith in me after what I’ve done?

“So” Eed “What are your plans?”

Thankfully distracted by the question, I slumped down on the nearest chair “I contacted an old professor of ht be a position forhospital in Illinois It’s not definite, but I think I’ll head out that way anyway I know Chicago well It’s as aze and hurried away from her