Page 168 of Taken Away

“Oh my God.”

Chloe’s eyes widened.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You are blushing.”

“I’m not blushing.”

“You absolutely are blushing.”

Another text arrived.

Machelle: Wait. You know where they lead now, don’t you?

Aubrey covered her face with one hand.

“Oh no.”

Machelle: OH MY GOD YOU DO.

Despite everything, Aubrey laughed.

Machelle: Call me. Immediately. And tell me everything.

Chloe pointed toward the phone.

“Boyfriend?”

“No.”

The answer came a little too quickly.

Chloe raised an eyebrow.

“That wasn’t a no.”

Aubrey opened her mouth.

Closed it again.

Because unfortunately, Chloe was right.

That hadn’t sounded like a no at all.

Her phone buzzed one final time.

Machelle: Seriously. How are you?

Aubrey stared at the question.

Her thumbs hovered over the screen.

Aubrey: Complicated. I’ll call you soon, promise.

She sent it, hoping it would hold her friend a little longer.