And just like that, the two people I can’t get out of my head appear all at once. Sierra is walking in front of the shop, but she’s not alone. My next breath gets caught in my chest as I see her pass with Hale by her side. She’s touching his arm, laughing, and he’s laughing back. Just before they’re out of my sight, Hale glances into the shop and stares at me straight in the eye.

What the fuck?

It’s a coincidence. He can’t possibly know about my connection with Sierra, but the idea of them together does not make me feel any better. Tyler was pretty bad, but he has nothing on Hale. All Hale cares about is money. And his avenue for more money is drugs. Plain and simple. I’ve seen him in action. He will do anything he has to do to move more drugs, to make more money—and that includes getting innocent newcomers hooked and pushing product for him.

“I’ll be back,” I say as I grab my keys.

“I have a client at six,” Murph says as I walk out the front door. The pair are now too far down the street to see me, so I rush out to my bike and start up the engine. Going in the opposite direction, I turn on the narrow streets behind the row of shops, making my way toward where I remember dropping Sierra off the night before.

I’m not spying, but I just want to make sure she doesn’t do anything crazy like let him into her condo or let him know which unit is hers.

I pull into a spot at the back of the building and watch for the couple to walk into view. They won’t notice me back here, but I am in a good position to see them.

It takes about ten more minutes before I hear their voices, walking through the parking lot toward the building.

They stop near a palm tree at the front. “Thanks for walking me,” she says.

“Anytime,” he answers. He’s like a different person than the Hale I know. His voice sounds like it’s drenched in syrup and fake with sweetness. “Can I call you?” he asks.

Don’t give him your number, Sierra. Please, fuck, don’t do it.

“Sure,” she says with not nearly enough hesitation. She gives him her phone to put his number in. He quickly types his number before giving it back to her. Then his phone goes off with her text message.

“Awesome,” he responds. “And you’ll come to the party tonight?”

“Maybe,” she says. She’s trying to walk away, but he’s being persistent.

“Please do.” He’s walking backward, away from where she’s standing. “Goodbye, gorgeous.”

“Bye,” she says.

I watch him walk away, toward the main drag of the boardwalk. I assume that Sierra is walking into her building through the front entrance, until I notice her walking toward me. She must be entering through the back entrance, and I have nowhere to hide as she approaches.