Grace’s stomach lurched. She’d been up for too many hours, and her limbs were becoming heavy. She blew, having to try twice to extinguish the flames.

Bobbi leaned toward her. “I hope you made a wish.” She closed her eyes, took a moment, and then blew hard. Sparks flew around and dust from the sparkler settled across the table as it was extinguished.

Grace sucked in air and coughed.

“Sorry.” Bobbi opened her eyes and plucked her sparkler free, reaching for the cupcake to eat. “I wished for you to remember.”

Brian blew on his sparkler, scattering even more of the dark dust. “Me too.” His phone chirped a cheerful tune about mermaids, and he lifted it to his ear. “Brian Banks,” he said, licking frosting off his fingers. He listened for a moment. “I’m only a few blocks away. I can be there in a couple of minutes.” He clicked off and leaned over to kiss Bobbi on the cheek. “We just got a counter-offer on the Samuelson property. A good one. I have to head to the office, I’ll grab an Uber home.” He stood and winked at Grace. “Maybe tomorrow we should go skating.”

She smiled and nodded, her jaw beginning to ache. A migraine was on the way, and though that wasn’t unusual, she didn’t even have aspirin. “Sounds good.” She’d be long gone by morning. The day hadn’t revealed anything new, but maybe Brian was right, and her subconscious would go to work now.

Either way, she had to leave before endangering the friends she wished she remembered.

Brian left, paying the waiter on the way out. That was nice of him.

Bobbi finished her drink. “I guess it’s just us girls, like old times.”

The room went dark. Grace grew still. She hated it when that happened.

“Grace? Are you okay?” Bobbi’s voice came from far away.

“Yes,” she slurred. “A migraine is coming. Just a second.” She wavered but held strong, and soon the wave passed. “Sorry. That happens sometimes.” Her vision cleared, and Adare stood in the doorway. She blinked as he walked inside. He had to be a hallucination.

His gaze caught hers, and the fury in his eyes was a physical burn. Crap. He was real.

He strode toward her, and people at nearby tables paused in conversation to watch him, their eyes wide. A waitress actually licked her lips. He reached their table.

Grace had the oddest urge to laugh. “Adare? This is my friend, Bobbi. Bobbi, this is my, ah, boyfriend? Yeah. I guess. His name is Adare.” The darkness pressed in from every direction, and she closed her eyes, letting it take her. “I think we’re gonna have to see the queen sooner rather than later.”

Then, blissful nothingness surrounded her, taking away the pain along with everything else as she passed out completely.

Chapter 17

Chapter 17