“You’re not going to make it easy for me to leave, are you?”
“Nope!” Elle said, her smile more prominent through the phone. “Listen, you know Nero and Amo want to come to say one last good-bye, too.”
Chloe had somehow expected her to say that. She wasn’t sure if she could face Amo again, not after last night. The almost kiss had been a disappointment for Amo, but to her, it had been the only way she could live with herself. Staying in Kansas City wasn’t an option. She had watched Elle protect her through high school, and she wouldn’t watch another friend get hurt because of her.
Say good-bye to him.
It was going to be her last chance, and this way, everyone would be there. It wouldn’t be so awkward.
Chloe huffed loudly through the phone. “Who are you going to boss when I’m gone?”
A mischievous laughter came through the phone. “I plan to harass you by text message. See you tomorrow!”
Chloe lay down on her bed when the call ended. The thought of seeing Amo again was making her nervous. However, she wanted to say good-bye to him officially.
That way, he knows I’m really gone … And I’m not coming back.
Thirty-Seven
A Choice Must Be Made
Chloe and Elle sat in the food court, watching Nero and Amo get food. She had insisted on getting her own food, but Amo wasn’t having it. The tension between them was still uncomfortable, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as if they had been alone.
“I can’t believe you’re actually going to leave.” Elle looked like she was about to get emotional. “I mean, I knew you would; I just thought you might change your mind.”
“You know I don’t want to leave you, but you know I can’t stay here, either.”
“I know. I just always thought we would be going to college together,” Elle whispered.
Chloe had, too. They hadn’t expected Elle to fall in love.
“If I hate it after a semester, I can always come back and go to the university here with you, and we can spend summers together.”
Elle started tearing up. “I’m just going to miss you so much.”
“Please don’t cry.” Chloe’s heart started to break. This was why she definitely couldn’t handle Elle going to the airport with her. “You will always be my best friend. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, and I thank you for protecting me when I couldn’t. I love you, Elle.” She might not be able to hug her and show her love, but she could at least tell her.
“I love you, too, Chloe.” A tear dripped down her face.
Chloe smiled at her as they enjoyed this moment together. “Okay, now stop with the crying. You’re going to ruin your makeup.”
Elle laughed as she wiped away the tear.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” a sweet voice butted in.
Turning, Chloe saw Nero’s sister Maria.
“Elle told me you were leaving, and I wanted to see you before you left. I hope you don’t mind. Plus, it was a good excuse to come shopping,” Maria joked, taking a seat beside Elle.
Chloe’s eyes traveled to the man behind her, and she held her breath when his blue-green eyes settled on her. She hadn’t seen him since he had gripped that bat in his hands. Truthfully, she hadn’t seen Maria since then, either.
Chloe, Elle, and Lake had been in Nero’s apartment when a gunman had broken into the apartment, expecting Maria to be there. However, she had been sick and hadn’t come. Chloe never liked to ask questions about why someone had tried to go after Maria, because she didn’t feel it was her business.
Maria was everything a girl ever wanted to be. She was tall, blonde, and looked like a supermodel. Chloe was convinced she was, considering she always came with bodyguards. Even though she enjoyed Maria’s company, she didn’t ever feel comfortable with her. After all, not only had she almost died the last time she had tried to spend time with her, but most of the time, Maria’s bodyguard ended up being Lucca.
She barely managed to pull her eyes back to Maria. “I-I don’t mind.” She twisted her hands under the table. “Thank you for coming.”
Chloe’s eyes moved back to the man who was now coming closer to the table. His dark appearance didn’t remind her so much of their last encounter. Instead, it reminded her of their meetings under the white gazebo in the Caruso’s backyard. The first time she had met him was the night Elle had been attacked while going to work. Elle had been terrified of him at the time, but she had also found him attractive. Any attractiveness she had seen in him had disappeared the night he had crashed a bat down ruthlessly, showing her his true self. Or so she had thought …
She had expected to be horrified and disgusted if she ever saw him again; instead, she found just found him … chilling.
Lucca’s cold voice shivered up her spine. “Still running away, darlin’?”