Contract Marriage: I Will Never Love You

Josh

I am sitting on my hotel bed, my laptop open. I quickly click the Zoom link to connect to Rebecca.

Rebecca’s face appears within seconds.

"Well, well. If it isn’t the knight in leather armor." She grins.

I smile sheepishly. "Don’t start," I warn her. Rebecca’s been my friend since college, and she never misses a chance to give me shit. "Did you find out anything from Sarah yet? About where Hailey might be working?"

"I did," Rebecca says, her face filling the screen. "And Sarah is suspicious as hell. Kept asking why I wanted to know about Hailey’s whereabouts. I had to make up some story about sending her a congratulatory gift basket."

I run a hand through my hair. "And?"

"And..." Rebecca drags out the word, clearly enjoying watching me squirm. "Luxe Magazine’s studio. Some converted warehouse on Kent Avenue. Sarah doesn’t know where she is staying yet."

My heart rate picks up. "You’re a lifesaver, Bec."

"I know." She leans closer to the camera, her expression turning serious. "Now tell me what your plan is, Josh? Show up at her work? Conveniently bump into her on the subway?"

I pause, my mouth half-open, because honestly? I hadn’t gotten that far.