Page 32 of Protecting Vera

“There was a presentation at work. I wanted to do it virtually, but they wanted me there.”

“Where did you go?” His voice was so flat shame filled her.

She stood, worry filling her as she paced in front of the couch. Hop stood and moved so he was blocking her path. His hands were on her shoulders, forcing her to face him. He lifted her chin so she had to meet his gaze.

Compassion filled his eyes. “Tell me.”

It hurt to think that she’d screwed up so much. “Don’t be mad.”

“Where?”

“It was Texas.”

His eyes bugged, and he let go a heavy breath as his expression went from anger to blank. “Where in Texas?”

“Austin.”

His lips thinned, and she could tell he was seconds away from losing his cool. But somehow, he held it together.

“Does he know where you are now?”

She shook her head. “I flew through Phoenix on the way back. That’s when he saw me.”

“How?”

She shrugged. “I was getting on the plane back, and he must have landed there earlier. I didn’t see him on the plane, so he didn’t fly into Phoenix. I checked.”

Hop pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. She’d messed up so badly, and she hated what she’d done.

“I’m sorry.”

Hop held up one hand. “No. It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. I fucked up. I could have screwed up everything. I could have gotten Frizz hurt and?—”

“Frizz? Wait, what about Frizz?”

Her lungs felt tight as guilt filled her. What had she done?

“Tell me!”

She closed her eyes, trying to stop the tears. “We ate dinner together. But Logan wasn’t close. It was across town, and it wasn’t close to anywhere Logan would have gone.”

“Jesus.”

She had screwed up so badly. She should leave. She turned and headed to the bedroom, ready to pack and get out of his place. She could imagine him hating her forever.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Hop couldn’t believe Vera had traveled back to Texas. Maybe she didn’t understand how terrible her situation could be. He needed more information.

“Wait.” He followed after her, grabbing her shoulder.

She didn’t turn around as another sob shook her shoulders. His heart squeezed. Maybe she’d done them a favor.

“Tell me exactly what happened when Logan saw you.”

She sniffed and then wrapped her arms tighter around her body and stood with her head down. “I’d just scanned my boarding pass, and I heard him call my name. I turned. There he was. He looked pissed. I got on the plane, and I watched for him.”

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