Page 127 of The Trade

“I did,” she confirms, unabashedly meeting my gaze. “You have a problem with that?”

“I guess I can appreciate a good hustle.”

She grins, curling her fingers around my bicep. “Did you actually want to finish this game? Or would you rather just skip ahead and buy me a drink now?”

“I’m, uh ...” I’m silent for a moment, caught in an internal crossfire. What is it that I think I am, exactly? Taken? Not anymore, and certainly not by choice. “Sure, Zoë. I’d be down for a drink.”

“It’s Niah,” she corrects, fingers tightening around my arm.

“Right.” I shake it off, gulping down the lump in my throat. “Sorry. Niah, let’s go get that drink.”

38

JADE

It’s Saturday morning,and my bags are packed.

I’m ticking away the last half hour before my ride to the airport arrives, seated at my kitchen table, nursing a lukewarm coffee. My eyelids are weighed down like bricks, the result of a sleepless night spent ruminating over my decisions.

With every minute that passes by, I weave another nightmare scenario in my head. What if I show up today and West looks right through me? What if I arrive at his house, bags in hand, and he’s already decided he’s over it, over me?

Lost in my thoughts, I hardly notice the sound of a car pulling into my driveway. I glance up, annoyed that my ride is here already, and hurry to the door. Gripping the handle, I swing it open, primed to step outside.

Except, it’s not my Uber that’s waiting for me. And the person standing there, now jogging up the path to my front door, has me shocked speechless.

“Uh, hey?”

“Oh my God!” I blink a few times, readjusting to the fog inside my brain. “Theo, how are you here right now?”

“Shan gave me your address.” He chuckles, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. “I told her I wanted to send you a surprise gift. Then I booked the first flight out here this morning.”

“Wow, you’re really here.” My eyes widen, heart racing. “In Washington ...at my house.”

“I am.” He gives me a guarded half-smile. “And look, I know you set some pretty firm boundaries. So, if you don’t want to hear me out, I’ll turn my ass around right now. I’m primed and ready to book the next flight home.”

“No, of course I want you here.” I grab his wrist, gently pulling him over the threshold. “Come in.”

Once we’re tucked inside, he glances around the entryway. “Are your parents home?”

“They went on a little trip for the weekend,” I tell him, biting my tongue. “Just left this morning, actually.”

He rakes a shaky hand through his hair. “Ah, okay.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m honestly so happy to see you.” My brow crinkles. “But I’m really shocked right now.”

“I’m here to get something off my chest.” He swallows thickly. “I just—I needed to do this in person.”

My heart stutters. “Alright?”

“I’m a little hungover from last night, so just bear with me.”

I nod, guiding him over to the nearby bench. We both take a seat. He sighs, closing his eyes for a moment as his head drops back.

“Did you go out with the guys last night?” I ask. “To Lucky’s?”

“Yes,” he admits, avoiding my gaze. “And that’s part of the reason why I’m here.”

“Oh?”

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