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“This isn’t your fault. None of it is. Just please… help me. Please.”
She lets out a long breath and nods. “Okay. But he’s going to kill me.”
“Thank you.” I hug her. “Thank you so much.”
It takes me five minutes to change into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Another minute to write a note to Liam and fold it into little pieces. Ariel takes it from me and frowns. “Are you sure you’re okay to drive? Even if you haven’t drunk anything you’re upset and it’s dark.”
“I know. But I’ll be fine. I’m calm now.” I hold my hand out and it’s stable. To be honest, it’s true. All the fear and anxiety have been replaced by some sort of tranquil knowledge that at least I can do something about all this if I’m in Charleston. And yes I’ll arrive in the middle of the night but it’s still better than being here. I’ll call Michael on the way and ask if we can meet first thing.
I take my bag and we walk up the path. She heads back to the party and I skulk around on the grass so nobody sees me heading toward the driveway. When I get to the front, the men in yellow jackets are still there, and I give one of them my name. He points at my car, on the far side of the driveway, and carries my bag over there for me.
Then I get in and start up the ignition. Liam’s going to be hurt. Ava’s going to kill me. But I know I’m doing the right thing leaving like this.
It’s my mess and my job to solve it. They don’t need to get involved.
* * *
LIAM
“Have you seen Sophie?” I ask Ava, a frown pulling at my brow. I’ve been looking for her since I managed to extricate myself from my mom’s aunt.
Ava’s sitting in the living room feeding Charlie. I feel bad for interrupting her, but I really thought I’d find Sophie with her.
“No.” She frowns. “I haven’t seen her for a while. Did you check the cabin?”
“Why would she be in the cabin?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” Ava shrugs. “It’s just a thought.”
I grab my phone from my pocket. “I’ll call her.”
But when the phone connects it rings to her voicemail without her answering at all.
“Everything okay?” Myles walks in and frowns when he sees me watching his wife breastfeed.
“Liam has lost Sophie.”
Myles smiles. “That’s careless.”
“Have you seen her?” I ask him, sighing.
“Maybe she realized what an idiot you are and ran off,” he says, still grinning.
“Shut up.” I walk out and leave them to it, heading to the kitchen to see if she’s there.
After five minutes, I’m actually starting to get worried. Maybe Ava’s right, I should go and check the cabin. Pulling the kitchen door open, I walk onto the patio. Guests are still milling around in the warm night time air. You wouldn’t believe we’d even had a storm.
I spot Ariel and Clare in the corner, sitting at a table with their mom. I haven’t had a chance to talk with Ria yet, but I will once I find Sophie.
“Hey, have any of you seen Sophie?” I ask them, leaning down to kiss Ria’s cheek.
“Is that your girlfriend?” Ria asks.
“You know it is, Mom.” Clare rolls her eyes. “Sorry, Liam, I haven’t seen her for a while.”
Ariel shifts in her seat but says nothing.
“Guess I’m going to head to the cabin. See if she’s there.”
