“I turned the heat down,” Laney mutters, motioning toward the pan on the stove as she walks past me and out of the kitchen.
I groan, dropping onto a stool at the breakfast bar and grabbing my beer. Taking a long drink, I try to shake the tension from my shoulders. This isn’t how tonight was supposed to go. I didn’t want an uncomfortable vibe hanging in the air, but clearly, I’m not getting a choice in the matter. The mood is already off, and there’s no way Ash isn’t going to pick up on it the second she walks through the door.
Glancing at the clock again, I frown. It’s creeping toward seven. Ash should be here by now. She knows we’re having dinner. A knot forms in my stomach, and I get an uneasy feeling I can’t shake. I need to check on her.
I reach for my phone, frowning when I realize it’s not on the breakfast bar. I could’ve sworn I left it there with my keys. The keys are still here, but the phone’s gone.
I jog upstairs. In my room, I grab my work pants off the chair and dig through the pockets. Nothing but my wallet. Frowning, I check the nightstand, then the dresser. Still nothing.
Heading back downstairs, I search the kitchen counters again, then walk into the living room, where Laney’s curled up on the sofa.
“Have you seen my phone?” I ask.
She doesn’t even look up from the TV. “No.”
“I’m sure I left it on the breakfast bar with my keys, but it’s not there now.”
She rolls her eyes like I’m crazy. “Are you sure you looked properly?”
“Yes,” I say, trying not to snap.
“Maybe you left it in the car.”
I frown. “Maybe. I’ll go check.”
I grab my keys off the counter and head outside. As I approach the car, it unlocks automatically, sensing the key nearby. I open the driver’s door and search around, even though I’m pretty sure I didn’t leave it out here. Sure enough, the phone’s nowhere to be found.
“It’s not there,” I call as I step back inside.
Laney appears in the doorway, giving me a smug look. “I think you’re losing your mind.”
“Thanks,” I mutter, not in the mood for her sarcasm.
She crosses her arms. “When are we eating? Dinner’s going to be ruined.”
I sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. “Ash should be here by now. I’m starting to get worried, but I’ve got no way to call her. I don’t even know her number without my phone.”
“She’s probably just running late,” Laney says, her tone dismissive.
“Maybe,” I reply, though I’m not convinced. “Go ahead and eat. I’m going to drive over to her place and make sure she’s okay.”
“Fine,” she huffs, stomping back into the kitchen.
I don’t have the patience for Laney’s attitude right now. Instead of engaging, I grab my sneakers, slip them on, and head back outside. Climbing into my car, I back out of the driveway and take the most direct route toward Hope Creek. Ash could’ve taken a few different roads to get to my place, but I’m hoping if she’s just running late, I’ll spot her on the way.
The closer I get to Hope Creek, though, the more uneasy I feel. I haven’t passed her car, and when I pull up outside herapartment building, I spot it parked along the curb. Maybe she called or texted me and I just don’t know it. Without my phone, I’m in the dark.
I hop out and jog to the main entrance. Someone’s on their way out, so I slip inside and take the stairs up to Ash’s floor. When I reach her door, I knock hard. No answer. I knock again, shuffling restlessly from foot to foot.
“Looking for Ashlyn?” a voice asks behind me.
I turn to see a woman locking her door across the hall.
“Yeah,” I say. “Have you seen her?”
She nods. “She left about fifteen minutes ago.”
“Do you know where she was headed? Her car’s still out front.”
