Page 8 of Whispers of the Lake

I’d expected to leave my therapist’s office feeling better, or relieved at least. Instead, I was muddled with conflicting emotions. On the one hand, I wanted to call Zoey and tell her Eve wasn’t home and I didn’t know where she was. That would be that, and so be it. However, on the other hand, I knew it wouldn’t be enough for her and that I needed to dig a bit deeper to calm her mind.

Zoey knew I had ways of figuring things out. She’d be angry at me for not trying harder.

As soon as I pulled into my driveway, I collected my things from the passenger seat and headed to the front door. Before twisting the doorknob, I gave Zoey’s phone a ring.

“Hey, Rose. Anything?” she asked as soon as she answered.

“No, sorry.” I tucked the phone between my ear and shoulder as I entered and locked the door. “I checked her place and there’s no sign of her. She left her laptop though. Does she usually do that?”

“She has two laptops,” Zoey answered.

“Oh, okay. Well, one of them was in her bedroom. Other than that, it appears like what she told you. She’s crashing somewhere else and taking some time for herself.”

“Hmm. Maybe.” She was quiet a beat. “It’s just—it’s not like her, Rose. You know? I know you guys are having your differences right now or whatever, but aren’t you concerned too?”

“Not really,” I returned. “Eve does stuff like this all the time. It’s not new, Zo.”

She let out an exasperated sigh. “I feel like there’s something going on between you and Eve that’s much deeper than her kissing some stranger, and you aren’t telling me.”

I set my purse down on the table, fighting the guilt swirling in my stomach. Why wasIfeeling guilty? I wasn’t the one who committed the betrayal. Zoey had no idea what her sister had done with Cole, and Eve should’ve been glad I never told her.

“I just . . . I don’t know who else to turn to right now.” Zoey’s voice was thicker, on the verge of tears.

There it was. The reason my guilt continued to manifest. Ididstill care about Eve. As much as I didn’t want to accept it, Cristine was right. Eve still felt important to me in some way. She’d been my best friend for sixteen years. We’d experienced so much. I couldn’t just write her off like she was nothing. My heart wasn’t cold enough to do that.

Not only that, but Zoey was like my little sister too. No matter what my status was with Eve, I would never neglect or abandon Zoey. She was one of the few people who kept my heart warm. She reminded me a lot of Diana, my baby sister, who often acted like the older sibling.

“Well, if I hear anything, I’ll let you know, okay?” I said. “Try not to worry yourself too much. I’m sure she’s fine.” Even I wasn’t sure about that, but Zoey took the bait.

“I’ll try not to,” she murmured. “I guess I’ll go study now. Can I call you tomorrow if I still don’t hear from her?”

“Of course, Zo. Call me anytime.”

“ ’Kay. Thanks, Rose. I love you. Goodnight.”

“I love you too. Goodnight.”

When she hung up, I went to the kitchen, perusing the fridge for something to eat. I grabbed the leftover chicken salad and searched the pantry for crackers. As I did, there was a knock at my front door. I paused on opening the crackers, glancing at the sidelight windows. I could see the arm of someone’s suit, the familiar shadow lingering behind them. With a burst of irritation, I walked to the door, unlocked it, and snatched it open to face Cole Howard, my cheating-ass husband.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Cole stood on the other side of my door, dressed in a blue button-down beneath a beige suit. I tried not to let my eyes travel over him. I hated that he looked so good all the time, even when I irrevocably despised him.

Those beautifully annoying brown eyes.

That flawless brown skin.

His perfectly lined-up hair.

That smooth damn goatee.

I ignored it all and folded my arms as I asked, “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve been calling you for days,” he said.

“And?”

He gave me a dry laugh. “I thought you’d have been mature enough to answer me at least once.”

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