After Natalie and I say our goodbyes, I drive back to Will's house and pack my bags. It's time to go home.
"Leaving me so soon?" Will asks dryly, leaning against the doorjamb with his arms crossed over his chest.
"It's time to go home and pull it together."
"Good call, sis." He smiles at me, but his eyes still look worried.
"I'll be okay," I reassure him.
"I don't doubt it. But if you need anything, I'm here. We all are."
"I know." I throw the last of my things in the bag and zip it closed. "Thank you, Will. Really."
"I do have my moments, you know. Just don't let the press know." He winks at me and I walk over to him and he opens his arms to give me a tight hug. "Gonna call him?"
"Yeah, when I get home."
"Good." He kisses my head and I pull back.
"Come over for dinner next week. I'll cook."
"Gag," I roll my eyes. "I'll cook. You'll poison me."
Will grins and lifts my suitcases and follows me out to my car.
***
I haven't been home in four days, and it feels good to be here. I grab a water from the fridge and unpack my things, knowing that I'm procrastinating. I want to call Nate. I want to hear his sexy voice. But I don't know what to say.
Finally, when laundry has been done and put away and there's nothing left to do, I pick up my iPhone and sit on the couch, staring at it. I bring up Nate's number on speed dial and my thumb hovers over the green send button but then I decide against it and power down the screen.
This needs to be done in person.
I climb the stairs to my bedroom and carefully choose an outfit of dark denim wide-leg jeans, a cornflower blue blouse that matches my eyes, and a black belt, cinching the blouse around my waist. I add my birthday diamond earrings, and black hair in loose waves framing my face.
I drive to Nate's without giving it too much thought so I don't chicken out and go back home. His car and the bike are both in their parking spots, telling me that he's home.
Good.
I use my usual parking space and take the elevator to his floor.
I pause at his door, my stomach suddenly full of those mutant butterflies again. God, what if he's decided he doesn't want to see me?
Instead of knocking, I use the key Nate gave me a few weeks ago and open the front door, stepping inside. The lights are on in the kitchen and living areas, and there is a fire roaring. There are several bouquets of pink roses throughout the space, on the breakfast bar, on the dining room table, by the sofa.
No Nate.
Then I hear the voices.
I walk back toward the bedrooms and the voices get louder. They're coming from Nate's office. I stop, just out of sight, and listen.
"This is it, Audrey. This is the last time."
"Sure," she snorts. "You won't be able to stay away from me for long, baby."
"After this, I want you to change your name."