Page 141 of Graves

“Aran?”

I lift my head and look around.

“We’re here.” Fox nods toward the main entrance of my building. “No paparazzi today, so I figured I’d let you out here for once.”

“Thanks,” I say and open the door.

“Everything okay? You were so quiet the whole ride. Or do you need some company?”

“I’m fine.” I get out and force a smile. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“You know Leslie disagrees.”

“Your wife will probably be happy if you get home early for once.”

We say goodbye and I watch Fox drive off. I climb the stairs and, for the second time since I moved back, enter the building through the front door.

While waiting for the elevator, I check the time on my phone. It’s only half past six. I haven’t been home this early in ages. But it is Sunday.

I’m wondering if there’s even anything left in the fridge when the elevator doors open and the old lady from the fourth floor steps out. I move aside to let her and her two dogs pass, but there’s a third dog whose loud barking sounds painfully familiar.

“Pixie?”

“Hello, Aran,” Harriet says, pushing her glasses up. “Nice to see you again.”

“What’s Pixie doing with you?” I crouch down and greet the little Yorkie, who excitedly climbs onto my knee and licks my hand.

“I thought you knew,” she replies, surprised. “Koh was just here—with a companion—and dropped Pixie off.”

“Just now?” I stand up and glance toward the back entrance, but no one’s there. “What do you mean?”

“You must have just missed each other. It was less than five minutes ago.”

My heart skips a beat. “What do you mean by ‘dropped off’?”

“Oh, it’s only temporary. Sounds like Koh is too busy right now to take care of Pixie. But he said he’d pick her up next Friday for the weekend.”

I can’t make sense of any of this. Koh loves Pixie more than anything. And now he doesn’t have time for her? “This companion… he wasn’t alone?”

“That blond guy,” Harriet says in a disapproving tone. “Very unpleasant. I offered them tea, but the man said they didn’t have time and had to catch the train.”

“Right now?”

“Yes! If you hurry, you might still catch them.”

Harriet doesn’t have to tell me twice. “Thank you!” I call and run out the door.

My circulation protests, but I ignore it. I have a chance to see Koh—and for now, I manage to keep Luke out of my thoughts.

I’m sure they’d get on at 14th Street so they don’t have to change at Times Square. I don’t know for certain they’re heading back to Astoria, but it’s the only thing that makes sense.

I run like I haven’t run in years. Through red lights, between cars, bumping into pedestrians and apologizing while still sprinting.

After five minutes, I reach the subway station, gasping for air. I can barely breathe as I head down into the underground. My untrained lungs burn like I’m a ninety-year-old smoker—even though I’ve never smoked.

Without buying a ticket, I jump the turnstile. I stop and look around. People are everywhere, waiting for the next train.

Am I too late?