words if I stopped to think about it, and that was the last thing I wanted to do.
I placed the notepad back on the refrigerator then grabbed my bag and headed toward the door. I had no idea what the bus schedule was and while it would only take a few minutes to go online and look, I didn't. It might mean hanging out at the bus station for a few hours, or even until morning, but I could deal with that.
What I couldn't deal with was the two visitors standing on the other side of the door when I opened it. Their presence was so unexpected that I screeched in surprise and stepped back, ready to slam the door in their faces. Jacqui must have known exactly what I was planning to do because she stepped forward and placed one manicured hand against the door to stop me. Her clear eyes drifted to the bag behind me then lifted to meet mine.
"Going somewhere, cher?"
"Um—" I didn't get a chance to finish because Jacqui pushed her way past me, Addy right behind her. I stared at the open doorway, gauging my chances of fleeing and wondering if they'd follow me. I could probably move a lot faster than either of them, especially considering Jacqui was in a pair of her signature heels from hell.
Except I'd seen Jacqui walk in them and had a feeling she could still outrun me, no matter how high those heels were.
I closed the door and placed my bag to the side then turned toward the two women. They were standing by the small kitchen island, studying the apartment like they'd never seen it before. For all I knew, they hadn't.
Addy spun in a small circle then turned to me with a small smile. "Interesting floor plan. I always wondered what it looked like inside."
"I think each apartment is a little different." At least, that's what Dylan had told me and he would know better than I would. "Did you guys want something?"
"We came to kidnap you for the weekend."
"Excuse me?"
"Not literally, of course." Addy laughed and I wondered if I looked as surprised as I sounded. Probably. "We just thought you might want some company since the team is on the road this weekend."
"Oh. Well, thanks, but I'll pass."
"You haven't even heard what we had planned."
"I think Morgan already has plans of her own, Adelaide." Jacqui nodded toward my bag then looked at me. "Or am I wrong about that?"
I thought about not answering—or even telling a little white lie—then decided I didn't care if they knew or not. "I was heading for the bus station."
"You're leaving?"
"Trying to."
"But why?"
"Because it's time for me to leave." I grabbed my bag then placed one hand on the knob, ready to open the door and show them both out.
"Does Dylan know?"
I narrowed my eyes in Addy's direction then let my gaze slide away. The irritation I'd felt at her question quickly evaporated under the genuine surprise I saw in her dark eyes. "We only agreed on me staying for a week."
No, it didn't really answer her question but it should be good enough. At least, I thought so until Jacqui stepped closer to the refrigerator and studied the note I'd left. She turned back to me, her expression both cautious and sympathetic.
Once again, I was struck with the impression that the woman didn't miss much, that she could see beyond any walls or shields anyone might put up. I also had a feeling that she'd seen a lot in her life—and not all of it good. She had secrets, some I could guess at, some would be a mystery forever unless she felt like sharing them.
I was pretty sure that Jacqui didn't share a whole hell of a lot with anyone, not even Addy.
Maybe that was what allowed her to see things people didn't want anyone to see. Or maybe it was just a basic shrewdness that had been honed and perfected over her lifetime. Why didn't matter, not when it was pretty obvious she knew I was lying.
I had a feeling she knew why, as well.
She leaned one hip against the counter and studied me for a long minute. Then she smiled, showing perfect white teeth framed by dark lipstick. "The bus station can be a dangerous place to hang out, cher."
"I'm sure I can manage."
"Something tells me you probably could. But do you really want to wait there until Monday?"
"Monday?"
"You said you were going to California.