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My jaw tightens. My muscles are taut.

He doesn't go inside.

Instead, he continues down the sidewalk.

Some of the tension leaves my shoulders.

A woman steps out of a shop in front of him, nearly colliding with him. Mercer smiles and moves aside, letting her pass. She doesn't give him a second look.

Mercer crosses the street, then stops at a bench. He sits down and pulls his phone from his pocket.

He’s waiting for someone. But I don’t know who.

I lean against a building, watching him from the shadows.

My phone buzzes again. This time I glance at it.

Chaos: Are you in Hollow Creek?

My gaze snaps back to the sidewalk. Mercer hasn't moved.

Me: Why?

Chaos: That's not an answer.

Me: Why are you asking?

Chaos: Because you're being weird.

I almost laugh.

Me: I'm always weird.

Chaos: You're regular weird. This is different weird.

Of course she notices. She notices everything.

That's becoming a fucking problem.

Me: I'm fine.

Her response comes immediately.

Chaos: I didn't ask if you were fine.

My jaw flexes.

Chaos.

I glance toward the bench again. Mercer is still on the bench, watching. Waiting.

My phone vibrates.

Chaos: You told me to stay home last night.

I don't answer.

Chaos: Then today you're barely talking to me.