“I don’t want to be a burden,” I said. “I’ve been in the city three months now. This apartment is barely big enough for one person, and I know you and Noah want your own place. Your life is on hold because of me.”

“On hold?” Her voice dropped to a whisper as sadness flickered in her brown eyes. “I don’t look at it that way.”

“But it’s the truth, isn’t it? You and Noah want to move in together.”

“Yes, but…”

“And you’re waiting for me to move out before you do.” I sighed and dropped the last shirt into my black duffel bag. “Noah told me what’s been going on.”

She stiffened, and then slowly stood from the bed, her arms still latched around the pillow. “He did what?”

“He told me you’re waiting to move in with him until I’m out of your hair. And he told me what’s been going on at your job.” I zipped my bag shut and strode over to her, slowly prying the pillow out of her arms. “You could have told me.”

She closed her eyes, and a tear slipped down her cheek. “I didn’t tell you because the last thing I want to do is hurt you. And I knew it would. I can’t believe Noah did that.”

“He’s only trying to look out for you.”

Her eyes flipped open. “And I’m trying to look out for you. Mia, you can’t move in with that guy and pretend to be his girlfriend. Not only is it bizarre as hell, he was an asshole to you, and you know next to nothing about him. For all we know, he could be the serial killer we saw on the news.”

“He’s not. I looked into him. He’s been seen in public at the same time as some of the murders. It can’t be him.” I took her hands in mine and squeezed tight. “Serena, I love you, and you have no idea how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’re the only person in the goddamn world who believes I didn’t kill Audrey. You gave me a home when I had nowhere else to go. But I need to move on with my life now, and so do you.”

“We can get a place together,” she said fiercely. “A bigger place.”

“And how would we afford it? I don’t have a job.”

“You’ll find one eventually.”

“What about Noah?”

“He’s not really in my good books now,” she muttered. “He never should have told you about any of it. It wasn’t his place.”

“Maybe not. But I’m sure he’ll make it up to you. He just cares about you. Same as me.”