The Chase

After emptying the cup, she forced her tired body to her feet, smoothed her wrinkled dress, and used the bathroom before availing herself of the clean toothbrush in the drawer and a hot shower. Since her suitcase was still in her car, she dressed again in yesterday’s clothes. She’d change into something clean at her next restroom stop. If she left quickly and drove really hard today, she might be able to reach Denver.

As she stepped out of the bathroom, she spied her purse on a nearby chair and rummaged inside for her phone. She ached to hear Beck’s voice. And Seth’s. But she had to get on the road…or she’d be too tempted to point her car west, head back to LA, and beg them to take her in their arms.

Quickly, she snatched up her purse and slipped into her shoes, which sat side by side under a nearby chair. Then she tiptoed down the stairs, wincing when they creaked. At the bottom, she found a cozy home office with a decidedly feminine flair. After jotting a quick thanks to Gloria on a sticky note, she affixed it to the rim of the monitor and tiptoed across the shadowy first floor, ignoring the lights illuminating the kitchen. Gloria had probably left them on for her, but as much as she’d love a cup of coffee for the road, Heavenly refused to take more from Beck’s soon-to-be ex.

At the front door, she tried to jimmy open the imposing latch. But it was as if the universe was sending her a sign not to go, because the darn thing wouldn’t budge. “Come on…”

Predictably, talking to it didn’t help.

Sighing, she dragged a hand through her disheveled hair, set her purse down, and put more muscle into the effort. When the lock finally gave way with a snick, Heavenly yanked the door open. The early-morning sunlight skirting the horizon poured into the entryway, momentarily blinding her. With a little curse, she winced, then reached for her purse and stepped outside. The long drive ahead already felt daunting, but she’d done it before. She could do it again.

Heavenly squared her shoulders as she headed for Raine’s sleek Audi—only to halt abruptly at the sight of a familiar black SUV in the driveway parked right behind her.

That was Seth’s car.

“Oh, god.”

She spun around—and found him and Beck standing in the open doorway, their identical expressions of disapproval focused squarely on her. Her heart leapt and thumped. Her stomach plunged to her toes. She swallowed.

Beck raised a brow. “Going somewhere, little girl?”