rained from her eyes, replaced by a confusion so profound it looked like a physical injury. Then

whispered, her voice breakin

ering with every lie I told. "I'm tired of being

as the most difficult, and most despicable, thing I had ever done. I walked

lly understood that my act of "saving" her was the ultimate act of arrogance. I had denied her a

it. It buzzed again. And again. With a groan, I picked it up. Unknown number.

ered.

voice, frantic and familiar. Not

What's

"She's... she's had too much to drink. We're at The Blue Note, and she won't leave.

ld. The Blue No

g. "No, not asking. She's demanding. She keeps saying,

ed. All I could hear was t

keys and jacket. "Don't let her out of your

against my ribs. It didn't matter what she called me.

I spotted them immediately. In a corner booth, Sophia was slumped against the leather seat, arguing with Sarah. Surrounding

, primal rage w

think. I

g strides and shoved the guy's

irked when he saw me. "Who th

to walk away," I said, my

what?" one of them chal

k against the wall. The second guy threw a clumsy punch, which I ducked easily, driving my fist into his

" I repeated, my e

ed his friends and practicall

my focus was entirely on her. I turned back to the booth. Sophia was staring at me, her

trange, mocking smile on her