Chapter 102

Emily’s POV

I didn’t remember leaving the coffee shop.

One minute Alex’s words were slicing me apart, the next I was on the street, the night pressing cold against my skin.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I didn’t look.

I walked until my legs ached, until the city lights blurred, until the ache in my chest became unbearable.

And then I did something I hadn’t in months.

I opened Jace’s contact.

My thumb hovered, hesitated, then typed before I could stop myself.

Me: Are you awake?

The reply came fast.

Jace: Yeah. Where are you?

My throat tightened.

I typed, with my fingers shaking.

Me: Can you meet me? Please?

Jace: Send me the address.

I dropped the pin of a quiet little park three blocks away.

Ten minutes later, I spotted him under the glow of a streetlamp, leaning against his car, hands shoved in his hoodie pocket.

Hi