his is just

gh slipped f

's Emily. It

es, and somehow,

t this

my mind spinning... then

one r

e, used me, and

to show them

nd booked the earlie

****

orning. The air bit my skin. I

ng like they had somewhere important to be. I, on the other h

ed into the hotel I had booked. A q

h a bright smile. "Good mornin

Yes. Just c

g quickly ", Your room is re

d and took the ke

here's the complimentary breakfas

be stay

d a little, but I

lines, and light-colored furniture. It had a pol

pinning. No plan, no real idea what I was going to

Hilary.

I remembe

d always helpful. One of the few people who ever looke

ed her number. I was half s

up on the

el

it's

God! Where have you been? Are you

ftly. "But I need your

tated. "

't know.

, then respon

e address. Say it

e in twenty."

he restaurant waiting for

the hotel restaurant. She looked around qui

rent," she said, l

l smile. "I f

u?" She whispered, "

d a break, "

second before leaning i

on with the wedding. The press. Everyth

ond "I don't know what happened to you, but.

e's gone. I'm being serious

. "Alright. The wedding is next Saturday. At the Elysian Grand Hall. Hu

urse

et?" I qu

... quiet. Looks like he doesn't want to be

processing

said. "That's

ently squeezed my hands. "I don't know exactly

te it," I s

y way back to the elevator. My

n I saw

fr

omeone who looked like a business associate in a navy suit.

emembered. And that only ma

g tired, sad. Maybe I was just imagining things

tuttered i

behind a nearby column before he

d I even

child. And I don't thi

ists, trying to

to fall apart. Not

yes for a sec

cking down, H

yes again, I looke

'd be the on

eddin

d Hall, the place already buzzing

t right, a silk scarf over my hair, and large sunglasses co

ards stopped me

ion?" on

holding up an old photo of me, Emi

learly not expecting that. The other studi

ed. Crystal lights, flower

k. My hands were

I saw

t stolen anything in her life. Vivian was by her

Benn

s distant, mouth set in a tig

ted, words flying

ti

these two shouldn't be

fell ove

I s

llective murmur filled the swept

licking. I pulled off my scarf,

fened. Bennett's eyes locked on

calmly. I pulled a paper f

child." I declared my voice loud

rupted wit

asps filled the roo

ust the b