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All too soon, the song’s over, and I drop my arms from around his neck. He slowly removes his hands from my waist and takes a step back. Neither of us has said a word, and not wanting to make things awkward, I gesture to the bar. “Drink?”
He nods and follows me off the dance floor toward the crowded bar. It’s about four people deep, and it takes a while before we reach the front. With drinks finally in our hands, we make our way back to the dance floor. The table we had been sitting at is now occupied, so we stand to the side, away from the crush of the dance floor. Leaning back against the wall, I yawn, covering my mouth with my hand.
“Tired?” Sawyer shouts over the chatter of the people around us. Despite sleeping this afternoon, my crappy sleep last night is catching up with me.
“Yeah. Do you mind if we head back after this?” I hold my drink up to him, and he nods. It’s hard to chat with the noise from the crowds, so we stand in comfortable silence as we finish our drinks. I notice Sawyer’s eyes flicking around the room, and I look out into the crowd surrounding us.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, putting my hand on his arm to get his attention. Nerves bubble in my stomach as I wait for him to look at me.
“Everything’s fine.” Taking the empty glass from my hand, he places it on a nearby table, along with his own. “Let’s find Kitty and Nick. Tell them we’re calling it a night.” I follow him into the crowd of people, his hand tightly encased around mine.
After saying goodnight, we head out onto the sidewalk. I’ve only had a few drinks, but with the cool night air hitting my skin, I suddenly feel tipsy. Sawyer drops my hand as we leave the crowded bar behind us. Despite no longer holding my hand, he stays close on the short walk back.
“Thank you for tonight,” I say quietly as we stop by the car. “I had fun.”
“Told you we would.” He grins as he holds the car door open for me.
“My head is spinning,” I say as I climb in and drop my head back on the seat. Sawyer walks around, and I hear his door close. “I think that last drink was my downfall.”
“It’ll be the fresh air,” he says with a chuckle. “Not a big drinker then?”
“Nah. I’m a lightweight. Lack of practice,” I tell him with a grin.
“Let’s get you home. I don’t want you throwing up in my car.”
“Not a chance.” My eyes close as he starts the engine.
ChapterFourteen
Sawyer
The next week is rough. Hallie is the most withdrawn I’ve seen her since I took on the assignment, and as much as I try to help her, I’m not sure I am.
As I’d thought, it didn’t take long for the vultures to descend. The morning after going out with Kitty and Nick, the apartment block was surrounded by reporters and television crews. I’d managed to intercept the first intercom call before Hallie woke, saving her the upset of having to speak to anyone. That wasn’t the end of it, though. Despite Detective Wilmot sending officers down to the sidewalk, all they were able to do was keep them out of the entryway. Five days later, they’re still there.
Despite visits from Jess and Hallie’s parents, neither could get her out of the apartment. Hallie’s dad moved my car around the back of the building the last time he was here. If I ever manage to get her to leave, I don’t want her to face all the reporters.
Kitty and Nick have also visited a couple of times. The first time she was asleep, and they didn’t stay long. The second time, I managed to convince her to come out of her room for half an hour. Something has to give.
I’m in the living room when I hear her talking. She must be on the phone. The bedroom door opens, and she walks into the kitchen, her phone pressed to her ear. Her hair is messy, and she’s still in her sleep shorts and tank. Pretty much how she’s been for the past week.
“Are they still at the library?” she asks. She drops her head as she hears the reply. “Shit. Yeah, they’re here too. God, Dana, what a mess.” She takes a bottle of water out of the refrigerator before returning to her room. Her eyes meet mine briefly before she disappears down the hallway. I sigh and drop my head back on the sofa. I need to do something to get her out of here. I’m beginning to climb the walls myself.
Feeling my phone vibrate, I slide it out of my jeans pocket to view the message.
Logan: There’s been a development. Where are you?
Hitting the call button, I put the phone to my ear and wait for him to answer.
“Sawyer,” Logan says as he answers the call. “Where’s Hallie?”
“She’s on the phone with a work colleague.”
“You have eyes on her?”
“Of course, I do.” I silently move across the apartment toward Hallie’s room, pressing my ear to her door. Hearing she’s still talking on the phone, I move back to the living room, pacing the small space. “What’s happened?”
He sighs, and an uneasy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. “A young girl has gone missing.”
