I grinned into her hair. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“And I missed hugs.”

My arms spasmed around Shay at the knowledge that she had missed this simple human contact. “I’ll give you one anytime you ask.”

18

Shay

Evergreen13: Then what happened?

Phoenix26: Nothing. We had breakfast. Then he had to get on a call with his lawyer.

Evergreen13: I almost never say this, but I’m disappointed in you, Phoenix.

I scowled at the screen. I shouldn’t have even started down this path. E was too nosy. Always trying to push me to broaden my horizons. I must’ve taken too long to answer because all of a sudden, the chat app was ringing. I froze. We’d never talked to each other face-to-face. But I couldn’t resist hitting accept.

Evergreen’s face filled my screen. She was both what I expected and not. Beautiful enough to grace the cover of any magazine but with a unique edge. A number of earrings lined her ears, and the delicate script of a tattoo peeked out from behind her left lobe. “I figured if I called without asking, you wouldn’t have a chance to think of all the reasons not to pick up.”

“You know me too well.” I would’ve invented a million and one reasons for why it was a bad idea. But now here she was, in front of me, and I felt like I would’ve recognized her anywhere. Maybe because we’d shared some of our hardest things. Or simply because she’d been with me on this journey when I’d left everyone else I’d known behind.

“Now, are you gonna tell me why you haven’t made a move on enigma hottie?”

I shook my head but chuckled. “He’s less of an enigma now. Kind of like you, I feel like I’ve known him forever.”

E’s expression gentled. “Must be good stock, then.”

“Must be.”

Her lips twitched. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“I was hoping you wouldn’t notice that fact.” I sighed when E stayed silent. “It’s too risky. For a million different reasons. Even if he weren’t my boss, I just can’t.” Because if Michael found me, the first thing he would do was hurt the people I cared about.

“You can’t stop living because of your brother. He doesn’t know where you are. And chances are, he’ll end up back in jail before the end of the month.”