Chapter 3
VIVIENNE
“Blink once if you’re doing this against your will…Twice if you think you’re ill.”
I don’t blink.
In fact, I don’t think I have since we stepped out of the car and found ourselves in front of this plane hangar somewhere in New Jersey.
“You know, I’m actually surprised you caved in so quickly.”
My head swivels in Sutton’s direction, not missing the lopsided smile and two thumbs-up she throws my way.
When she suggested I accompany her to that “social media engineering event” as a way to decompress from the earlier day’s chaos, I never expected this.
Given the little red dress and matching pumps she dressed me in, I assumed we were going to dinner. The extravagant kind, with ornate flower arrangements, five-course meals, and parting gift bags, like she’s attended so many times before.
Clearly, I didn’t ask nearly enough questions. And while that regret is slowly starting to creep in, it doesn’t begin to compare to the anxiety unleashing itself within me.
Forget about unsolvable problems and their best remedy—I’d rather be at home, wasting my time curled up with fuzzy blankets and a tub of peanuts as I sob over a rom-com and its happy ending.
An ending I’m not sure I’ll get tonight when I’m surrounded by the one thing I hate the most.
“Sutton!” a deep male voice calls out to my best friend.
We turn in unison, meeting the sights of a man in a clean, light blue button-up, perfectly tailored navy trousers, and green eyes I swear I’ve seen before.
“Adam!” Coppery waves stream behind her back as she rushes over to pull the guy into a friendly hug. “I haven’t seen you in so long. How have you been?”
I follow her at a much slower pace, unsure of how she knows this man.
“Busy with the preparations leading up to this event, but otherwise, I’m good.” He lets out a warm chuckle. “And you? Really making waves with the whole social media science thing. Any plans of quitting school and doing this full-time?”
“Absolutely not.” Sutton snorts. “It’s my side job for now. Finishing grad school is my priority. Not sure what I’ll do next, but I guess we’ll see.” She lifts her shoulders with a sheepish grin.
“You’ve always been a smart one. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” His eyes brighten in her direction before turning to meet mine. “And you must be Sutton’s plus-one.” He extends a hand in greeting.
I give it a firm shake, smiling the hardest I can despite my simmering anxiety. “Vivienne Brown.”
“Adam Archer. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He releases my hand, nodding in the direction of the plane hangar. “How about I show you guys around the place before the grand reveal? We’ve set up about every model the company has ever made. It really is a sight to see.”
“We would love that,” Sutton says with a grin, linking her arm with mine.
We follow his lead, trailing him as he weaves through what looks to be some sort of an exhibit.
One too many planes are strategically positioned across the room, circled by red ropes.
Information panels with the model and blueprint stand before them.
People are gathering around to admire the sights, but for me? It’s all too much to take in.
I close my eyes, trying to erase the memories flooding back to my mind, but I can only do that for so long without raising suspicions.
We stop in front of one of the many death contraptions when Adam goes on to explain something with so much excitement, but I tune it out. It’s the only way I’ll be able to keep a sliver of my composure.
“Isn’t that so cool?” Sutton leans over to whisper in my ear.
I nod in approval, putting an end to the fidgeting of my hands and leg before she notices. I muster my best smile, all the while mentally plotting my escape.
As long as it isn’t air travel, I’ll take whatever option gets me out of here the fastest.
The overhead lights dim suddenly, casting a shadow over the exhibit and directing everyone’s attention to the stage at the far end of the hangar.
A large silhouette of a plane stands out against the backdrop, prompting people to look at each other in curiosity.
Whispers and murmurs ripple across the room before everyone starts walking in its direction.
“Looks like we’re about to start,” Adam says as he moves with the flow of the crowd.
Sutton is about to follow when I latch onto her wrist, giving it a tug backward.
It’s now or never.
A smile plasters itself across my face—one I hope masks my inner turmoil. “I need to head to the washroom, but I’ll catch up with you later, okay?” I deliver the line I’ve been practicing for the past thirty minutes without a hitch.
Sutton smiles in return. “Sure, I’ll come with you.”
“Not necessary!” I follow up a little too quickly, causing her brows to furrow. “I’ll be okay. Go have your moment. You can’t miss this.” I emphasize the word okay, knowing that had I said anything close to fine, her suspicion would have heightened.
She lets out a shallow breath, gaze shifting to Adam, who’s waiting a few steps back. Hazel eyes turn to me, still filled with hesitation, but the fact of the matter is, she has no choice but to go.
At the end of the day, attending this event and capturing content for it is part of her job. She’s worked too hard for so many years to throw away an opportunity as big as this.
I see the moment her resolve crumbles.
“Text me when you’re done and on your way back. I’ll be in the crowd.” Sutton points to where the majority have migrated, phones in hand, ready to capture whatever unfolds next. “If something bad happens or you think you’re on the verge of being kidnapped, call me immediately, okay?”
I manage a curt smile and dash away before she changes her mind—never mind the dam of salty streams that finally breaks free.
———
One minute, I’m in the washroom, leaning against the stall door as the tears I’ve held back slip out, and the next, I’m in this beautiful garden, walking down a stone path leading to a large, intricately detailed fountain.
I’m not sure how I find myself here, and honestly, I couldn’t care less. The plane hangar is out of sight, and that’s all that matters.
I take a seat on one of the nearby wooden benches, letting the cool breeze expand my lungs as the mist from the fountain hits my skin. My eyes flutter close, and the tension in my shoulders drops as a genuine smile spreads across my face.
There’s a bite to the air—cool, crisp, fresh—and a calmness you’d never find within the city. The faint sound of crickets intermingle with the swooshing of leaves as the wind ruffles through the trees. The stars in the sky are visible with unbelievable clarity. It’s peaceful, beautiful even.
And for the first time in a while, my mind is quiet, unburdened by the stress and pressure I put on myself to succeed. There’s no future in sight. No disappointment with the way my life has turned out. Just the soft glow of the moonlight as it shines over—
A loud rustle of grass startles me.
I jump back from the bench, losing my footing as my head snaps in the direction of the noise.
A silhouette—with a height and build that can only be that of a man—takes a step forward, his attention diverted to the ground. His movement triggers a nearby lamppost to turn on.
Clean black trousers. A too-white button-up rolled up to around mid-forearms. Squeaky clean shoes. It’s all too nice for someone with the intention of having it stained with blood.
A loud laugh bursts from my chest, and it isn’t long after that the stranger’s head lifts toward me in shock.
“I am so sorry.” I wave off, unable to control myself. “It was an intrusive thought. You scared me for a second there. I was convinced I was going to die.”
I must have made the right decision in speaking up when a warm chuckle escapes his lips, his shoulders shaking lightly. “I could say the same for you.”
My stomach drops at the sound of his voice. Deep and inviting. Masculine but not scary. It sounds so good. And I have no clue how a stranger can go from possible threat to wildly attractive in a matter of seconds.
“The event is inside. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone out here,” he continues, casually marching over to where I’m standing, hands tucked in his pockets.
“Just needed some fresh air.” I gesture to our surroundings. “It was getting overwhelming.”
“You and me both.” He smiles as he rounds the bench, stopping a few feet away from me. “Nate,” the no longer mysterious man says, his hand out to shake mine.
Even in heels, my neck cranes to accommodate his height, and I’m so transfixed by him that I ignore the gesture entirely.
The captivating green eyes. The dimples that jut out with his smile.
The beauty mark below his lip that becomes more visible when he turns to scratch the back of his head.
It’s a deadly combination of features. And if I’m not dying from murder, I just might from admiring this man for a second longer.
“Vivienne.” I place my hand in his, the handshake lingering as I continue to study him.
It must be weird to take in a stranger for this long, but there’s this air of familiarity to him. It’s like I’ve seen this man before—just with a lot more facial hair.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he says.
“Likewise.” My gaze sweeps over his face once more. “But I have to admit, I think we’ve met at some point.”
“Right?” he agrees. “You do look familiar. Though I did see you walking inside earlier.”
My brows quirk in surprise at the admission. “You saw me inside and couldn’t resist following me out?” I fake gasp in shock, hand over my chest.
I’m only teasing, and at Nate’s full-blown smile, I find myself mirroring his expression.
Not sure where the sudden surge of confidence comes from, but I don’t think about it too much. This is what I needed. To reinvent myself for the night. Step out of my comfort zone. And not dwell on the outcomes of my actions.