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“Can you be ready in 15?”

“For what?”

“We need to buy you a new phone.”

I cringed when I thought of adding that cost to my list. “I don’t really need one.”

“Are you kidding? Who’s going to take care of my Instagram account if you don’t have a phone?”

“It’s too expensive.”

“I’ll write it off as a business expense. Go get ready.”

CHAPTER 27

RYAN

I double checkedmy bedroom before carrying my bags to the door. Zoey sat on the couch, the lone suitcase I had lent to her, at her feet. I hated that I needed to leave Zoey, especially after the last few days she had experienced.

“You all set?” I forced cheerfulness into my voice.

“I’m ready.” Her voice hitched.

“Hey,” I sat down beside her. “Are you worried?”

“Krista says she wants me to go to Zoomba with her.”

The unexpected laugh came out of me, but stopped when I caught the look on her face. “It might be fun.”

“I know.” Her voice sounded gruff, but it didn’t fool me. She was shit scared.

“I don’t like this much either, okay?”

“You don’t?”

“Don’t go out alone. Not without Krista.”

She gave me a worried look. “I won’t.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Okay, come on. Let’s get going.”

“This will be so much fun,”Krista hugged Zoey. “What happened here?”

I watched as she looked closer at Zoey’s scratch.

“Bianca happened,” I sounded pissed. For no reason other than I dreaded leaving Zoey behind.

Krista’s carefully penciled eyebrows shot up. “Well, that’s no good.”

“She’s gone,” I added.

Zoey glanced up at the tone in my voice. I didn’t want to leave her here. It made no sense because I knew this was the safest place for her, but I did not want to let her out of my sight.

“I should go.” Reluctance coursed through me.

“See you when you get home,” Krista smiled.

I didn’t think I could leave her. I stood still, aware that both Krista and Zoey watched me. Probably wondering why I wasn’t moving.

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