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“I’ll be right down!”
She turned and bolted on her bunchy socks to the glass door. Not realizing how weak she’d become, she struggled to slide it open. Once it gave way, she shouted for her own reassurance, “I’m coming!” Part of her feared he’d disappear like a mirage in the desert.
Ignoring the familiar pieces of her life appointing the apartment, she ran to the door and pressed the intercom. It buzzed. “Park?”
She released her finger and waited, bouncing in place. It buzzed back and a scratchy version of her friend’s voice said, “I’m in! I’m coming up.” It was late and the doorman must have gone home.
Scout turned and caught her reflection in the mirror by the door. Her cheeks were gaunt and her eyes appeared overly large for her face. Her hair hung in ratty waves over the shoulders of her sweater, her brows hidden beneath a tight wool skullcap.
She looked like a ruffian. She looked like a kid. Her lips, unadorned with any gloss or any artificial color, curled upward in a slow half smile. She looked like Scout.
The sound of the elevator in the hall drew her back to the present. Her fingers quickly twisted open the locks on her door and flung it wide.
He stilled and smiled at her. He seemed as shocked to be seeing her as she was at the sight of him.
“How did you know I was here?” she whispered, her breath coming fast.
“I always know where you are. How else can I watch over you? I lost you for a few days there, but I’m here now. Are you okay?”
No, she was definitely not okay, but she was a world better now that he was there. Parker. Her friend.
Her trembling lips formed a thin line as too many words tried to force their way out and each one seemed to fail. She shook her head sadly and fought back a sob clawing its way up her throat.
His smile faltered and his brow pinched. “Oh, Scout . . .” He held out his arms and she ran to him.
It was magical to be held. For days she’d known a side of loneliness that was fathomless, unending, and so terrifyingly hollow. To feel the warmth of another body holding her now . . . it was remarkable.
All of her defenses came tumbling down the moment her mind recognized his familiar scent, the way he protectively sheltered her with his body. It was all so nostalgic and so incredibly needed. She simply gave in to the vortex of emotions eddying inside of her and didn’t think.
His lips pressed into her temple as she cried. When her knees gave out he scooped her up, carrying her like a baby into the apartment. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. I’m here. Scout, please don’t cry . . .”
Her nose pressed into the warm skin beneath his collar, her tears leaving salty tracks from her eyes to her lips. Pain cut through her as she admitted what a fool she’d been.
“You were right. He used me. He wanted me to be something else, and when I couldn’t he sent me away.”
Parker tensed and stilled. She wiped the back of her hand under her eyes and sniffled. She was a mess, but beyond caring. Her pride was trampled the minute she stepped foot into this horrid place. She was a fool. Her fall from grace was an excruciating tattoo on her heart, a branding still raw that would permanently stick with her, reminding her love was cruel and she was a fool.
He sat down on a piece of furniture and tightened his arms around her back, rubbing in soft, wide circles over her thick sweater. “Scout, have you been crying like this the whole time? You’ve been here for days. Have you eaten?”
She stilled and drew back. “How do you know how long I’ve been here? Did Lucian send you? Have you talked to him?”
Parker scowled at her. “No.”
The atmosphere cooled at his clipped reply. She looked down and noticed how inappropriate their position was. She was straddling him and he had his arms around her. Pressing her lips tight she pulled to the side, intending on easing off of him. His grip tightened. She made an uncomfortable sound in her throat and he let her go.
Embarrassed, she slid beside him and tucked her hair behind her shoulders. “Sorry. I . . . I’ve been really emotional lately. I shouldn’t have jumped on you like that.”
Fingers traced softly over her denim-clad knee. He grinned sadly at her. “Hey, that’s what friends are for. I came because I was worried about you. Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”
She felt her brow furrow as she slowly attempted a smile. Everything was blurry. Confusion and too many questions of how he’d found her spun in her mind like clouds turning a day to night. “Did you see him?” she whispered and Parker’s face shuttered.
