Page 102 of Promising You
“Garret, I—”
“Jade, where are you?” He’s talking fast, almost frantic.
“I’m at a coffee shop. Why?”
“Lilly’s missing. Katherine can’t find her and I’m going over there to help. Can you come with me and look for her?”
“What do you mean she’s missing?”
“She was in her room and when Katherine went to get her for dinner she was gone. There were some maintenance guys there around that same time and Katherine is freaking out. She can’t find Lilly anywhere and she thinks they might’ve taken her.”
“Did she call the police?”
“You know we don’t involve them in stuff like this. Anyway I told Katherine I’d search the back woods. I don’t think Lilly would go out there by herself, but I have to at least look. Can you help?”
“Of course. Whatever you need.”
“Which coffee shop? I’m in the car on Fifth and Main.”
“I’m at Last Cup. It’s right after the gas station.”
“Yeah, I know where it is.”
We hang up and I hurry back inside. “Sorry, Carson, but I have to go. Garret’s sister, Lilly, is miss—” I cut myself off, shoving my laptop in my backpack and hoping he didn’t hear what I said.
“His sister is what? Missing?”
I smile. “She’s missing her favorite stuffed bear. She won’t sleep without it. I told Garret I’d go help him find it.”
Carson gives me a strange look. I know he doesn’t believe me. “Can’t his parents find her bear?”
“His dad’s out of town and his stepmom said she searched everywhere and couldn’t find it. Anyway, we can talk at class tomorrow. I’ll try to get there early.”
I hoist my backpack over my shoulder and turn to see Garret walking in. I was hoping to meet him out front.
“Jade, are you ready?” His eyes fix on Carson and I can tell he’s surprised to see him there. He probably thought I was here with Harper.
“Yeah. Let’s go.” I tug on his coat sleeve.
“Hey, Garret,” Carson says, a smug grin on his face. “Good luck finding that bear.”
On the drive to his house, Garret doesn’t mention Carson. He doesn’t mention our fight either. It’s not the time for that. We need to focus on Lilly.
“How long has she been missing?” I ask him.
“Katherine doesn’t know. After the maintenance guys left she went to Lilly’s room and saw she wasn’t there. She started looking for her and when she couldn’t find her she called me.”
“Maybe Lilly’s just in a different room. Has she checked the whole house?”
“Yes. The maid looked. Charles looked. Katherine. Everyone’s been searching the house and they can’t find her.”
“Is anyone tracking down the maintenance guys?”
“Our security people are trying to find the van they were driving.” Garret slams on the brakes as we approach a red light. “Katherine should’ve stayed with Lilly the entire time those guys were there.” He bangs his hand on the steering wheel. “What the hell was she thinking leaving her alone like that?”
He picks his phone up from the area between our seats and checks it quick, then sets it back down. I reach over and put my hand around his, seeing if he’ll let me. He does, so I hold it tighter, realizing how much I’ve missed the simple act of just holding his hand.
“I’m sorry, Garret. I’m sorry this is happening.” I pause. “I’m sorry about everything.”
