Page 205 of The Exit Strategy

By the time my tears dry, I’m exhausted.

“Tell me what you’re doing this weekend,” Bea says. The subject change throws me for a moment, but I appreciate what she’s doing.

We did the hard thing.

Now comes the softness.

“The boys fly in tonight. Cole’s giving me a tour of the new house tomorrow morning. The asshole hasn’t let me inside for over a week. He said it’ll ruin some open-house thing that Nana Mae’s cooking for, and Katie’s apparently been party planning for it but refuses to share a single detail.”

Bea’s lips curl up as though she knows something I don’t.

“Bea.” I’ve been in The Haven so long now my scary voice is failing me—it’s just not needed here.

“Yes, dear?”

“What do you know?”

“Nothing. It sounds like a wonderful weekend. I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

That’s it. She dismisses me and walks to her front door.

Well, that proves it. Bea’s in on it.

Whateveritis.

Cole’snot home when I get back, and I try not to be too disappointed by that fact. He didn’t know Bea was going to give me the greatest gift today.

Or maybe he did, since she knows what the hell is going on.

There’s a note on our office door.

Library install. I’ll be back at three. Stay away from the house. I love you.

Hmm. That’s fishy. I check his calendar. The custom shelves weren’t supposed to be ready until next Friday. And sure enough, on his old-school paper calendar, next Friday is crossed out and today is hastily filled in withLibrary.

He knew I’d check his calendar.

Stay away from the houseis like waving a red flag in front of a bull. It’s basically taunting me to check it out, right?

For fuck’s sake. I thought he knew me better than that. I may be working on making my soul all Zen and shit, but I’m still a nosy asshole.

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

BFF and Me Group Chat:

Everyone in my life has lost their damn minds around group chats.

Katie: Brunch. My place. Now. Don’t argue. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

Junie: It’s 11:30.

Katie: I’ve been able to tell time since the first grade, Juniper. I also know you’re about to do something stupid involving the new house, and I’m instructing you, as your best friend, to get your hot little ass over here.

Katie: Now.

Katie: Brunch.

Katie: Mimosas.