Page 9 of What They'll Say About Us

"I should be happy it was just flowers and nothing more dangerous."

"We should put a Do-Not-Disturb sign on our suite until the end of our stay. We don't need anyone else coming in here." Morgan gave me a questioning look. "Are we still doing this?"

"We're still doing it. I'm going to meet with Alina at eight tomorrow morning. Who wants to come with me?"

"I can't," Cassidy said. "I promised to do a guest spot on the Get Out Alive podcast tomorrow morning at eight. They're broadcasting from the convention center."

"You should definitely do that. We share the same audience, and we might get some crossover."

"I'll come with you, Tessa," Morgan said. "I don't think you should meet with Alina alone."

"Great. I would prefer to have you there."

"I would like to know more about Alina and the rest of Paige's family before we go."

"Can we talk in the morning? I'm exhausted. I just want to go to bed."

"No problem. I'll do some research on my own, and you can fill in the blanks tomorrow."

I nodded, then got to my feet and headed into my room. With the door closed behind me and the curtains open, I was drawn once again to the city view, but I wasn't seeing the skyline; I was seeing Paige, beautiful, talented, Paige, who'd felt like my nemesis, the person I couldn't beat, the person I envied, the person I wanted to be…

But that person had died at the age of twenty-one, and maybe her story wasn't what it appeared to be.

After a sleepless night filled with taunting images of the past, Morgan and I headed down the street to Hennings Café, a bustling restaurant with an outdoor patio a block away from the hotel. Alina had gotten there before us and was already sitting under a shaded umbrella. She didn't get up when we approached, just gave us an assessing look as Morgan and I sat down.

"Wasn't sure you'd actually come," Alina said.

"I said I would. This is Morgan Kent."

"I know who you are." Alina gave Morgan a quick look before turning her gaze to me. "I thought you might come alone."

"Our podcast is covering your sister's death. That includes Morgan and Cassidy."

"And you're fine with them knowing how you were involved?" Alina challenged.

"I wasn't involved."

"Of course you were, Tessa. You were the last person my sister called."

"A call I didn't answer. I'm sure your sister's phone records confirmed that."

"That doesn't mean you didn't see her that day. Or that you don't know why she was calling you."

"I saw her at rehearsal. That was the last time." I paused, seeing the disbelief in Alina's gaze. "Do you think I had something to do with Paige's death?"

"I think you know more than you're saying. I believe many of Paige's so-called friends know more than they're saying."

"Who exactly are you referring to?"

"Your boyfriend, for one. Paige texted Liam Crawford four times that week, the last two times that Friday night, just a few hours before she died."

I stared at her in surprise. "She texted Liam? I had no idea."

"He didn't tell you?"

"No," I admitted. "What did the texts say?"

"The first two texts alluded to a conversation they'd had at the bar. She wanted to know if he'd told you about it."