Chapter 49
forty-nine
PRESENT DAY
KATE
“Have I mentioned how beautiful you look tonight? Pink has always been my favorite color on you, Kate.”
I shift awkwardly before addressing the compliment.
“Um, thanks, Tanner.”
I catch sight of myself in the closed elevator doors. My cheeks are so flushed with anger and hurt over Brandon that they almost match the same shade as my dress. I watch Tanner take a tentative step behind me, and he speaks to my reflection.
“I was hoping to run into you again this evening, but maybe another time would have been better. Are you okay? You seem upset,” he says.
“I’m…”
What am I supposed to say? I’m confused? I’m heartbroken? I might have been put through hell by a playboy’s playbook?
“I’m fine,” I say weakly.
“Kate, look at me.” His hand envelops my upper arm, gently tugging until I face the worry in his hazel eyes. “I know what I said on that couch in there, but I’m still here for you no matter what. You can talk to me.”
I clamp down on my bottom lip, trying to staunch my flow of confused anger.
Tanner sighs. “I get it. I can’t force you.”
“Thanks for understanding, Tanner,” I say. “And thanks for being a friend.”
Tanner’s jaw tightens in response, if he’s trying to bite back his next words. They come crashing out anyway. “Again, Kate, I know this isn’t the best timing, but I really do think we should give our relationship another—”
“Please. Tanner. Not tonight.”
“Fine.” His tone is brittle before he smooths it away. “Sorry, that sounded harsh.” He turns away, and—almost to himself—murmurs, “Won’t stop being hopeful, though.”
The hint of humor—the uptick in his voice on that single word—catches my attention.
Unwarranted fear beats hard in my chest before I hush it for being stupid. The last H.Y. text came from Brandon, not Tanner.
But I can’t help but focus my gaze on Tanner’s. Although his expression stays somber with concern furrowing his blonde brows, his eyes almost…twinkle.
Deciding it can’t hurt, I repeat the triggering word back to him, watching closely for tells.
“You won’t stop being hopeful, Tanner?”
A spear of recognition seems to lance his features, but then it’s gone.
“Of course, Kate,” he says easily. “You’re pretty great. I’d be a fool to give up being hopeful for a second chance with you.”
He’s trying to breeze past the subject, but I am nothing but a handkerchief snagged on a tree limb. It’s the strange look in his eye that is pinning me in place.
“Hopefully yours?” I whisper.
Realization must be written across my wide eyes, must be screaming from the tremble in my fingertips. It’s clawing across the breath trapped on my tongue.
Tanner watches me, expressionless for a long moment.
Then he sighs like he knows the jig is up, takes an easy step around me in the elevator, and lightly presses a thumb to the emergency stop button.
brANDON
Tuck’s and my argument ends as he storms off toward The Spiral. I head to the service elevator and jab the button. The event is probably over by now, and I feel like a jerk that I’m not already down there helping Rick and Val with the takedown.
The elevator button lights, but there’s no telltale whirring behind the shiny doors. I rap the elevator button a few more times, and still nothing.
Shrugging, I give up and stroll down the shimmering ramp of The Spiral.
I spot Tuck striding across the lobby toward the exit, passing Julia finishing packing up her table. She calls after him, but he continues his path out the museum doors. Julia hesitates, then snatches her coat and purse and chases after him.
I return to the Astor wing and immediately spot Val and Rick arguing with someone who looks like a handyman in a blue industrial jumpsuit. The man gestures with annoyed bursts, turning to one of the security guards.
I approach them. “What’s going on?”
Rick grumbles, “The elevator’s jammed, and we can’t get the carts for takedown. I’m too old to shove those suckers up The Spiral.”
Val’s nostrils flare in agreement.
“Oh, yeah,” I say. “I tried using it up on the third floor, and it wouldn’t work.”
I glance across the emptying Astor wing to where I’m sure Kate is waiting on the loveseat, but she’s gone.
Frowning, I stride over to her abandoned heels and clutch. Confusion builds in my gut, and I search the hall again. Amantha stands nearby briefing Kendra, and I interrupt.
“You guys seen Kate?”
Amantha shakes her head. “No, she was looking for you, though. Everything okay?”
“Not sure.” Something snakes up my spine as I stride in a new direction. I yank my phone from my pocket and call her.
The phone rings to voicemail, a faint jingle vibrating from the loveseat as I approach. Worry spikes my chest, and I scoop up her tiny bag. It’s not like Kate to ditch her phone—she’s practically married to the device.
I rifle through the bag, brushing past her trademark pepper spray and makeup stuff until I touch the edge of her house key. One she’ll definitely need later.
I pin the purse and heels under my arm, grappling again for my phone. Maybe she texted me earlier and I didn’t see it?
Clicking open our text thread, I find a slew of messages I don’t recognize.
Ones that I definitely didn’t send.
A proclamation of love returned.
A proposal that turns my blood to ice.
brANDON: Then will you finally come to Navy Pier with me tomorrow at sunset? - Hopefully Yours.
An expletive bursts from my mouth.
He’s here.
Kate’s stalker is here, and she is nowhere to be found.
Fear curls my hands into fists, like an eerie muscle memory from a boy listening to his mother being screamed at in the next room. Helplessness thrums in my throat. I cough to clear it, eyes whipping around the Astor wing.
I bolt toward Amantha.
“Did you see where Kate was going?” I want to scream.
Amantha’s eyes flash with worry. “What is going on?!”
“Not now,” I bark. “Did you see where she walked off to?”
Amantha chews her bottom lip. “I think she headed toward the elevator?”
My stomach thuds to the ground before I yank it up. I dash toward the security personnel still talking with Val and the man who I realize must be the mechanic.
I skid to a stop in front of them. “I think Kate’s trapped in the elevator. And someone is here who might be trying to hurt her.”
Val’s eyes grow three sizes before he yanks out his phone, making a call. I think I recognize his brother-in-law’s name, Daniel. My mind fumbles over the fact that Camilla’s husband is a cop, but I can’t maintain the thought for long.
I squint down at my own device, rereading the text.
How could H.Y. have sent it from my own phone? I’ve had it all evening.
Except when…
Horrified picture fragments slam together in my head.
Tanner’s amusement. His lame excuse to take my phone. The hiss of the elevator doors closing behind me. The elevator that was very much working a few minutes ago.
My phone clatters to the tile.
“Kate’s stalker is here,” I croak. “He’s inside the elevator with her.”