Page 145 of The Exit Strategy

Check in with Fen—make sure Grace’s drama stays far away from me.

Maybe tell Cole that I’m wearing the ring because I want to, not because I have to? Or just remove it? Think on this. Hard.

Get through this gala in ten days and then, finally, get Cole and me through whatever’s still holding him back.

Easy.

I’m a results-driven woman, and the reward has never mattered more.

26

BOOB TAPE

COLE

My plan is simple.

I’ve replayed it in my head every waking moment for the last ten days, and it hasn’t changed. It’s still the best option I have. I’ve tested it against every variable I can imagine—even worse-case scenarios that are so unlikely, they could be science fiction—and my plan holds.

It’s solid.

Hudson may be barely talking to me, but he’s helping. He’s ensuring Junie won’t get hurt. That’s what matters. I’ve been friends with him for twenty-five years. We’ll get through this.

Hopefully.

My one small mercy is that Natalie’s name still hasn’t appeared on the publicized guest list. These things always have a receiving line, and if she were there, she’d be waiting for me.

Not having to avoid her all night is a relief I desperately needed.

Now we can say hello to the CEO, then head straight to our table to wait for the nightmare to end.

We’ll get through dinner, speeches, awards, and then, as soon as I win, I’ll get Junie the hell out of there.

And the moment Hudson gives me the okay, I’ll confront Natalie privately. Tell her it’s over.

She’ll fight me on it. But I’d rather know I’ve done everything possible to be with Junie than continue the lies that keep me from her for another minute.

If I hadn’t been so young and terrified six years ago, I never would’ve agreed to leave in the first place.

This is one night.

Fifty thousand dollars.

Everything on the line.

I can do this.