“I never trust anyone to provide good food.” She points at a craft services tent near a street that’s been blocked off for filming. It’s a constant in New York; I’m so used to seeing the shooting schedules taped on lampposts that I barely notice them anymore. We meet up with Gales, who is the proud owner of two new knives, and Chloe and I do our best to greet “Storm Cloud” and “Sky Piercer” with suitable reverence. Then we’re off to the subway, buying MetroCards and planning our route to Greenpoint, where Gales is to be reunited with his favorite pizza at Paulie Gee’s.

An hour later, we’re enjoying the hot-honey-and-sausage-laden Hellboy when my watch buzzes with a text. Normally, I’d let it go, but the one that follows, and the one after, get my attention.

J: !!?!?!?

CHARLES IS AT THE BAR

BENNET!

“Oh, whoa.” I don’t realize I’ve said it out loud until Chloe and Gales look up from their pizza. “Sorry. Things just got interesting.” I get my phone and pull up Jane’s number. “Excuse me.”

Jane answers on the first ring. “Bennet,” he whispers. “I’m hiding in the stairwell. What do I do?”

On the other side of the table, Chloe and Gales blink at the overheard intensity.

“Well, for one,” I say, “shame on him for dropping in unannounced at your work.”

“Do you really think I’m thinking about manners right now?” Jane’s whisper-shriek is incredulous and so very un-Jane.

“Sorry! No, just . . . hear him out.”

“What?”

“I’ll explain later, or maybe Charles will. He’s been a wreck, so . . . let him talk?”

A pause. Jane sniffs. “He’s been a wreck?”

I smile. “You’ve both gotten a raw deal, and I’ll go into it when I get home. Just be honest with him, Jane.”

He’s quiet for a long moment. Then, quietly, “I’ve missed him so much, Ben.”

My heart turns to mush. “I think we both know what you need to do.”

“Yeah,” he says, already lost to whatever he’s scheming. “N’kay. Bye, Ben.”

“Bye, babe. Be brave.” I slip my phone back into my purse. Darcy must have cleared things up with Charles. Giddiness washes over me, and I let out a giggle. He did it.

Gales and Chloe watch me with mild interest. “I take it we won’t be seeing Jane later?” Gales offers.

I grin. “I have a feeling he won’t be resurfacing for a while.”

CHAPTER

20

“Let’s go inside.” Chloe reaches for the door.

I swat her hand. “No.”

“You’re the one’s who’s been raving about this place. I wanna see it.”