Page 256 of A Taste of Vanilla

“Marley?”

“I’m here, I’m here.” Her voice is tight, and I can hear her walking. “Send me your location.”

“My phone is at two percent.”

“Of course it is. Send it to me quickly. It’s not like you’re going anywhere for a while.”

I send it.

“My car says I have fifty-four miles until empty.”

“Well, your car is a lying bitch and I’m not dealing with her moral failings at the moment. Did you send the location?”

I check the phone. “I think it went through.”

“Got it.” Her voice changes, distant for a second, like she’s speaking to someone else. “No, she’s in Virginia. Yes, Virginia. I know. Don’t start.”

My stomach tightens. “Who are you talking to?”

“No one,” she says firmly.

“That sounds like a very specific no one.”

“It’s being handled.”

“Marley.”

“I need you to stay there, okay?” Her voice wobbles on the last word. “Please, Halston. Just stay there.”

Water runs down the windshield in sheets, and I look at the keys in my hand. I probably couldn’t leave even if I wanted to.

Part of medoeswant to.

“Are you coming?”

A pause.

“Marley?”

“I’m coming,” she says softly.

For half a second, her words make me feel better.

Then I hear voices behind her. Oliver, I think. Maybe Dev. Maybe the muffled chaos of the bakery. Someone says, “No,absolutely not,” and Marley snaps something at someone away from the phone.

“Are you driving?” I ask.

“I said I’m coming.”

“Marley.”

“I need you to promise me you will not move.”

“I’m out of gas. Moving is a little optimistic.”

“Don’t get cute with me right now, Smith.”

I swallow my joke. “I promise,” I say instead.