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I shake my head once again.

“Then I’m going to sit beside you until you change your mind.”

I look at him through my hair.

“I don’t have a home.”

His expression doesn’t change. I expect to see something…disgust, maybe.

“We’ll figure that out.” He holds out his hand. “I’m Alden, and I swear on my life that I won’t hurt you. I just need you to trust me so we can get you away from here. You never have to come back.”

Maybe it’s dumb, but I feel in my chest that he is telling the truth, that he’s not like his father. I slowly reach out and place my hand in his.

The song stops, and I leap off the bed, racing into the bathroom for a shower. Maybe next time I won’t rinse his come off and instead wear it all day. I’m not just happy, I’m elated. I’m finally where I’m meant to be, but…the job isn’t done.

I shower and dress quickly, then move into the kitchen for coffee. Of course it makes me think of Alden. Humming, I pour cream into my cup, grab a muffin from the container on the counter, and practically skip down the stairs to the store.

Before opening the door, I mask my face. If I’m too bubbly, Sam and Kai will suspect something and try to weasel it out of me. The store is already flooded with warm rays of sun bathing everything in gold.

The girls haven’t arrived yet, so I head to my desk to grab my order book. An envelope with Alden’s handwriting immediately catches my attention. I open it and pull out a folded piece of paper, then the platinum credit card comes tumbling after.

The note is just one word.

Blue.

Laughing, I pick up the card, hold it to my chest, and a stupid smile spreads across my face.

Phase three of my plan is complete—on to phase four.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ALDEN

I glance at my phone…nothing. Not a peep. I expected some sort of response. A text or an angry phone call. My personal favorite scenario is that she storms over here, and I can apologize thoroughly on my desk. But nope, radio silence.

How does someone wake up, not question what happened, find my credit card, which is as good as saying, ‘I did it,’ and then ignore me?

“Earth to Alden.”

I slowly look at Rochelle and realize I have no clue what she’s been saying.

“You haven’t heard a word I said, have you?”

I lean forward on my desk and stare at Rochelle.

“Let me ask you something. If a guy gave you his platinum credit card but you returned it, and then it showed up mysteriously, wouldn’t you call or text at the very least to ask about it?”

“Do I even want to know what is going on right now?”

“Just answer the question.”

She cocks a brow at me but leans back in her chair as she thinks.

“Depends. Yes, normally, unless I don’t want to see the person.”

“You think she doesn’t want to see me?”

“Who are we talking about? And you better not say Rob’s ex.” Rochelle glares at me, but I remain quiet. “Jesus H…Alden.”