“Yeah. Um,” Honey says, glancing at me with an unreadable expression. She turns to Reese and then to Chris. “Can you guys give us a minute? Girl talk.”
Girl talk?
Why does the urgency on her face make it feel a lot more serious than that?
Chris gives Honey a nod, and holds out his hand, offering it to Ella. “Miss Ella, will you come and help us pick a song from the jukebox?”
Ella nods, taking his hand and sliding out of the booth.
Reese clears his throat. “I’ll help. Last thing we need is Ella thinking Bailey Hill is peak music because of Chris.”
“You inspire one breakup album and suddenly it defines your whole personality forever,” Chris mutters, following them toward the jukebox.
As soon as they’re out of earshot, I turn back to Honey. “If you’re about to tell me Jonathan is—”
“He’s missing,” Honey cuts in quietly.
“Who? Zach?” I immediately check my phone, ready to open the locator app when Honey’s hand gently touches mine.
“No. Jamie.”
“Missing?” I croak out. I don’t know what to do. She’s touching me, which means she can feel my hand shaking. I’m sure of it.
“Yeah.”
“Oh.” I keep it short, knowing if I say anything further, I’m going to give it all away and tell her everything.
I’d love to talk to her about Jamie, but if I do, I’d have to admit I know exactly where he is.
Here.
“His father doesn’t know where he is?”
She shakes her head. “No, and they clearly must be desperate if they’re coming for me asking for answers. Why the hell would I know where their idiot of a son is?”
“Right.”
“Look, I’m sorry for springing this on you, but it’s just Jamie is a loose cannon at the best of times. I needed to warn you in case—”
“In case what?”
Her eyes darken, and she raises her brow.
“In case he comes here.” Honey looks away for a second, and I freeze. “Granted, it’s a long shot. I assume he’s probably somewhere in the South of France living it up with his best friend Thatcher, but I needed you to know so you’re prepared.”
“Prepared.” My gaze drifts over to Ella and the way she’s smiling at Reese while he does some stupid dance. “Right.”
Honey must see something in my expression because she rests her hand on my arm, drawing my attention back to her. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, Tiff. There’s no way Jamie can take Ella without the police arresting him. She’s yours, and I honestly don’t think he has any interest in claiming her. You’ll be fine. Besides, Zach’s not going to let Jamie anywhere near you with that new Fort Knox style gate he bought.”
But Jamie already got around that. How the hell did he get around that? If his father doesn’t know where he is, then why is he here?
Honey squeezes my arm again, softer this time. “Come on,” she says quietly. “You’re pale as a ghost. Let me drive you andElla home. Chris and Reese can walk back to campus. It will be their cardio for the day.”
“I’m fine,” I lie automatically, though my pulse is still racing. “Really.”
Her brows lift. “Tiff. You’re shaking. I know you’re always trying to be strong for everyone, but you don’t always have to play the role of hero. You can back away.”
I swallow hard, the bitter taste of espresso still on my tongue. My mind is racing, trying to figure out what all of this means, but I know where the answers lie and it’s not in this diner.