I leaned forward, pressing my hands against the brick wall, trying to dig my fingertips into the stone. Fear. Some subconscious yet insidious monster had been twisting my mind, making me believe that if I didn’t say the words, I’d never have to hurt the way I had when I lost Vi. But holding back had hurt Bell in the worst way imaginable. I did love her. Whether I said the words or not didn’t change that. I loved her with everything in me. It was more than love, it was raw and real, some unnamed life force that lit my soul on fire.

I shoved away from the wall. All I wanted was to fix this, but anything I said now would feel like empty platitudes. I would fight tooth and nail to make her believe, though. I would beg and plead until she saw the light and believed the truth of it.

I ran a hand through my hair and started towards the side door. My steps faltered as I got closer. Bell wanted her space, needed it. My chest tightened. I couldn’t give it to her, though. She couldn’t be alone. My hand landed on the doorknob and stayed there. Maybe I could just keep an eye on her from afar. Give her space but not too much.

She was going to rain hell on me if she saw me following her. I sighed, pushing open the door. Her anger was just a risk I would have to take. Cool night air hit me, and tires screeched as someone pulled out of the parking lot way too fast. I really hoped it wasn’t a drunk patron.

I scanned the parking lot, lit by the antique-looking streetlamps my parents had put in. I didn’t see Bell anywhere. My heart picked up its pace, and so did my feet. I strode across the lot, scanning in between cars as I went. No Bell.

I headed for the workshop. Maybe she’d gone to find her peace there. I tried the door. Locked. “Bell?” I called through the door. There was nothing. No sounds or flicker of light.

That vise around my chest grew tighter. Maybe she’d gone to the beach. The crashing waves had always calmed her. That’s where she was. She had to be.

I picked up a jog, jumping over a piece of driftwood and making my way to the water. I scanned the shore. The moon was close to full, giving me just enough light to see by. Bell was nowhere. I looked north and south but saw nothing. No one. The beach was completely empty.

No. No. No. This wasn’t happening. I couldn’t lose Bell when I’d just found her. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, hitting the sheriff’s contact as I started to run back to the bar.

“Sheriff Raines.”