Nope.Nope.A thousand times nope.
The scrape of my chair echoes through the café as I shove it back and stand, breaking whatever connection he thinks we’re having.A few heads turn, but I don’t care.My only goal isout.
I adjust my bag over my shoulder and make a beeline for the door, my boots clunking against the floor like punctuation marks to my exit.I’m sure a few people noticed me leave—maybe even whispered about it—but I don’t care.Not about their opinions, not about the song, not about him.
I’ll apologize to Lily later, but right now, I don’t even care about her.
The cold hits me the second I push through the café door, sharp and bracing.It pricks at my cheeks, but it’s not enough to cool the heat of frustration simmering beneath my skin.I pull my coat tighter around me and pick up my pace, the muffled sound of Joel’s song trailing behind me like a phantom.
I’m halfway across the parking lot when the music stops abruptly.The sound cuts out mid-verse, leaving an echo in its place.
I pause, frowning, and glance over my shoulder.The stage is out of sight, but the café door swings open, spilling warm light and a murmur of confused voices into the cold night air.
My blood runs cold and for some stupid reason, I turn on my heel, racing for my Subaru.
And then I hear him.
“Anna!”
His voice is sharp, insistent, and closer than I expected.
I whirl around to find Joel jogging toward me, his leather jacket catching the glow of the streetlamp above.His breath fogs in the icy air, and he’s clutching something in his hand—a crumpled envelope.
“What the hell, Joel?”I snap, my pulse hammering in my ears.“Did you seriously stop your set to chase me?”
He slows as he approaches, his expression unreadable but tinged with something I can’t place.“I had to,” he says, his voice quieter now.“You were leaving.”
“Yeah, no kidding.I’mstillleaving.”I jab a thumb toward my car.“You didn’t have to make a scene about it.”
Joel exhales sharply, his breath visible in the cold, and holds out the envelope.“This is for you,” he says, ignoring my tone.
I glance at it, then back at him.My defenses flare up instantly.“What is it?”
“Just… take it,” he says, his voice steady but softer now.“Please.”
I hesitate, every instinct screaming at me to walk away.But my curiosity wins out, and I step forward, snatching the envelope from his hand.The paper crinkles under my fingers, heavier than it should be.
“What is this supposed to be?”I ask, my voice sharp.“Some kind of apology?”
Joel doesn’t flinch, but his jaw tightens.“You’ll figure it out,” he whispers.
I don’t miss the flicker of something in his eyes—something raw, unguarded.It throws me off for a second, but I recover quickly.
“Thanks for the mystery,” I say flatly, stuffing the envelope into my back pocket.“Now, if you’ll excuse me?—”
“Anna,” he says again, his voice low, almost pleading.
But I don’t let him finish.Turning sharply, I march the rest of the way to my vehicle, yanking the door open and sliding inside before he can say another word.
The envelope presses against my backside, an unwelcome reminder of whatever Joel thinks he’s doing.I grip the steering wheel and take a shaky breath, staring at the frost-edged windshield.
Whatever this is, I’m not ready to deal with it.
Not tonight.
I knew I should have stayed home.
CHAPTER1