Page 149 of The Exit Strategy

“I’m glad you came.”

I say nothing. I can’t. My mind is too busy recalculating all the ways this can go wrong.

A flicker across her face—not anger—something closer to curiosity. Then her gaze slides over Junie, and every fight I’ve ever suppressed roars to the surface.

“Juniper.” Her confused gaze slides to mine for half a second. “This is an…unexpected surprise. It’s…good to see you.”

“Sorry I can’t say the same. All I have are bad-tasting memories,” Junie says flatly.

Natalie’s smile doesn’t move, but her eyes darken ominously.

“Enjoy your evening, Nat.” Hudson says, stepping so close that Junie and I are forced to move.

Natalie frowns when she spots Hudson, but neither he nor Nana Mae stop to give her airtime.

“Actually,” Natalie’s voice coils like a whip as she steps in front of me. “Let me show you to your table.”

“Not necessary,” I grind out.

“But I insist,” she hisses, holding her arms out wideenough that it’s clear what she’s doing, and if I walk away, I’ll be snubbing a senior designer at the firm sponsoring this event.

Holding Junie close, we follow her through tables to the other side of the room, far away from where our table should be. I studied the fucking layout six times.

Then Junie stops.

Dead.

She’s staring at the east wall, and now I know why. It’s like Natalie’s knives are twisting in my gut but I can’t remove them.

Natalie’s smile turns into a snarl. This path was intentional. She knew that even if Junie didn’t recognize the design, she wouldn’t forget the name. She heard Junie and I talking about it enough times for it to become a point of contention in our relationship.

Now it makes sense why it was also the first design that she stole.

“Junie.”

She doesn’t move. Even Hudson has closed in.

Along the east wall is a display. A long, illuminated panel that runs the length of the room, featuring a selection of the firm’s work. I knew they would—this is as much about showing off Meridian’s miracles as it is honoring new designs—but I had no idea they’d showcase…older work.

Now, I’m forced to look at it because the centerpiece is a design that started this all.

The veterans’ memorial stands as the firm’s shining glory.

It’s enlarged, bigger than the rest. Rendered in a high-quality print, mounted under gallery lighting,The Whisper of Souls Memorial. It’s attributed toNatalie Moore, Lead Designer, Meridian Group.

Junie’s eyes never leave it.

My stomach drops through the floor into the parking garage below.

“Cole.”

I press my palm to her naked back because I can’t speak.

“That’s the veterans’ memorial.”

“Junie—”

“The one that sings in different tones depending on the season. The one you designed for your internship application. The oneI sawyou create at my kitchen table. The one we talked about six weeks ago.”