“I don’t know, but is there any chance you can call and add me to Archer’s reservation?” I beg. “I can explain everything later, but for now, I need to get on a plane and make sure he’s okay.”

“Yeah, babe. I got you. I’ll do it right after we hang up.”

“Thank you.”

After the call ends, she sends me a message confirming she took care of it. I managed to book a flight for this afternoon, which means I need to pack and haul ass to the airport.

After I have everything I need, I drive Sassy to my grandparents’, giving them only a couple of details. Once I’m on the highway, I speed and make it just in time to board my flight. I breathe a sigh of relief when I’m in the air, soaring toward the man I love.

When I finally see him again, I’m going to squeeze him tight enough to break his ribs, then smack him for leaving me. I’ll make sure he’s okay first, then be mad.

I take an Uber to the hotel once I land. Luckily, it’s off the Strip, so I don’t have to deal with thousands of tourists. If the circumstances were different, I’d be excited to be in Vegas.

Once I arrive and get a speech about their amenities, the receptionist hands me the room key and directs me to the elevator.

“Thanks so much.”

I wheel my luggage to the elevator and head up to the sixteenth floor. I knock before entering so I don’t scare him, but no one answers, so I let myself in.

The room is dark, so I flick on a light. His bag is on the floor, and the bed is unmade. I didn’t think about what I’d do once I arrived, so I make myself comfortable and hope he returns soon.

I decide to freshen up in the bathroom, then realize my phone is still on airplane mode. As soon as I turn it off, I’m flooded with voicemails and texts from Tyler and Gemma.

Tyler: Mimi said you dropped off Sassy hours ago. Where the hell are you?

Gemma: Babe, send me your location. I’m getting worried.

Tyler: I swear to God. Answer me!

Since Gemma was nicer, I respond to her first.

Everleigh: I flew to Vegas, just got to Archer’s hotel room.

Instead of responding, she immediately FaceTimes me. Tyler’s scowling next to her.

“I told you to stay put!” he scolds.

“I couldn’t…”

“Ev, I thought something happened to you. Could’ve given me a heads-up,” he says.

I shrug. “Well, I knew you’d try to stop me.”

“Sounds eerily similar to what Archer did to you,” Tyler says, and I shake my head.

“It’s different, trust me,” I say.

Gemma speaks up. “So is Archer there?”

“No, but his stuff is, though.”