Page 58 of Take the Wheel

Without another word, he slipped out the door, and Ari heard it locked again, leaving her alone with nothing but the weight of what might have just cracked inside him. But she couldn’t save him. She couldn’t even save herself.

Forty-Seven

Nancy had been down on the basement level for a while, trying doors, all unlocked.

It was a hell of a lot shabbier down here, where no one ever went but the staff. The flickering overhead light cast long shadows across the worn-out walls, and the musty scent of old storage lingered in the air. Nancy had a feeling this was the place to find Ari, a place far away from the polish and staging of the upper floors.

But so far, no Ari. She couldn’t believe she was back where she’d started, looking for the right room.

Then she saw a door that had a padlock. Which was weird. She knocked.

A pause. Then, a quiet, wary voice. ‘Who’s there?’

Nancy exhaled sharply. ‘Who do you think?’

There was a long silence, then the scrape of a chair. ‘Nancy?’

‘No, it’s Beyonce. Yes, it’s me.’

Nancy could hear a long sigh.

‘Are you OK?’

‘Yeah, great. You?’ Ari asked.

Nancy decided to ignore the sarcasm. ‘She called the police.’

‘Of course she did.’

‘She’s telling everyone you did this out of jealousy.’

‘Naturally.’

Nancy hesitated, fingers drumming lightly against the wood. ‘You don’t sound that worried.’

‘I am,’ Ari admitted. ‘But what’s the point? It’s already happening.’

‘I’m not sure how to get you out of here. It’s padlocked.’

There was a pause. ‘I’m not expecting a rescue. I’m just glad to hear your voice. I… I assumed you’d have left by now.’

Nancy swallowed. ‘You thought I’d just leave you here?’

Ari didn’t answer right away. ‘Wouldn’t have blamed you.’

Nancy scoffed. ‘Don’t be stupid.’

‘Why didn’t you leave?’ Ari asked her.

Nancy opened her mouth, then shut it. It should’ve been an easy answer. Instead, it sat heavy in her chest.

‘Because I couldn’t,’ she said honestly.

Ari didn’t respond right away. When she did, her voice was quiet, careful. ‘I don’t know what to do.’

Nancy let out a slow breath, sliding down to sit against the door. ‘Me neither.’

Ari went silent, and for a moment, Nancy could imagine their backs to each other with only an inch of wood between them.

---