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I laugh, but as soon as Raven leaves, I sink into the never-ending thoughts about Kat.
No, not evil, not complication—pain. That’s something I never knew women could bring, because I almost feel physical pain in my heart from missing Kat so fucking much.
16
KAT
The dayafter the failed pool conversation, Archer ignores me at the Center as usual. He offers a curt “Good morning,” and nothing else, then leaves the Center in the afternoon without a word, and there’s no sight of him for the rest of the day.
When my phone beeps in the evening, I assume it’s Marlow or Maddy. Callie, maybe.
But It’s Archer, and just seeing his name flash on my phone screen triples my heartbeat.
Archer: I have something for you.
Cliff Villa is quiet when I come. No music.
“Archer?” I call out, slowly walking to the center of the living room.
“Here you are.” The voice comes from the entrance to his bedroom, and Archer walks out in just a simple t-shirt and sweatpants. The informal sight of him is so unexpected that I wonder if he finally wants to talk properly.
There are papers in his hand. No smile. He’s not even looking at me—just a glance, as if the sight of me bores him.
Something’s off about him calling me over. “What’s up?”
We used to do a lot of fun things in this villa. My best moments on this island happened here. Also the worst ones. Now it’s just this—boring courtesy.
“There.” He passes the papers to me as he approaches.
Studying his face doesn’t help to figure out what mood he’s in. Lately, his face is an indifferent mask. I get it. Trauma, losing family, work. The time we spent together seems to have been wiped away for good, making us this—colleagues.
I hate the word.
I stare at the papers in confusion. My face is on one of them, my dad’s on the other—these are copies of our passports.
Why?
And then the word slaps me across my face—Australia.
“What’s this?” I murmur, unease washing over me at the word that used to signify so much in the past.
“Your dream,” Archer says, staring at the papers in my hands.
I swallow hard, the word “visa” not bringing the delight that it should. “Australian visas?’
“Yes. You came here for that, didn’t you? We agreed that if you found useful info, I’d help. You did way more than that. So there. Plus the money as promised. I talked to Mr. Ortiz already.”
“But…” Wait-wait-wait. “What’s this supposed to mean?” I stare at him, willing him to look up from the papers in my hands. He’s so close. The scent of his aftershave reminds me of what it felt like to have his skin against mine.
Archer finally raises his gaze, his eyes cold. “Your work is done, Kat. Thank you. Your father will continue to provide us with background checks. But you don’t have to be here. I arranged for you to take a boat to the mainland tomorrow morning.”
A breath catches in my throat.
Tomorrow?
“I can’t leave!” I spit out.
“Kat, you really don’t need to be here anymore. Raven and Marlow can handle things—”
