Page 25 of Edge of Heaven

I’m just coming around the corner to go find a bathroom when I hear Callum and Taryn arguing.

A moment later, he brushes past me, doing something on his phone.

What a dick.

I slowly peek around the corner and spot Taryn.

She’s leaning against the wall, eyes closed, so much distress on her face I can’t help but approach her.

“Hey.”

Her eyes pop open but she doesn’t move. It’s like she’s rooted in place, big blue eyes brimming with tears.

“You okay?” I ask softly.

“Yeah.” She swallows.

We both know that’s a lie.

“You don’t look okay.”

“How do I look?” she asks.

“Sad. Resigned. Worn out.”

“I guess those are all fair descriptions.”

“What’s going on, Taryn? This isn’t like you.”

“You’re sweet, Mick, but I’m not the same girl I was four years ago.”

“Of course not. I’m not exactly the same either, but I think we’re still the same people at our core. At least, I am.”

“You have no idea what’s been going on in my life.”

“So tell me.”

She doesn’t respond as she looks away.

“Your secrets are safe with me,” I say quietly. “I promise.”

A tiny smile plays on her mouth. “Thank you. I wish we could hang out more, but you know he’ll freak if he sees us talking for more than a minute.”

“He’ll be on stage soon, and then he won’t have time to think about where you are or who you’re talking to. I’ll wait for you out back, near the loading docks. Like we talked about—we’ll have about ninety minutes.”

She seems to consider it.

“Come on… we don’t have to talk about anything serious if it upsets you. We can just hang out and relax. We never had trouble talking before.”

“That’s true.” She seems to be thinking about what to say next but then nods. “Okay. I’d like that.”

“Great. I’ll see you in a few.”

“Mick?” She calls to me as I turn to go, and I glance back at her.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t, uh, don’t tell anyone, okay? The less people that know we’re friends, the less chance there is of Callum finding out. He’s jealous as hell, and he’s always watching. It will just make things harder on me.”

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