Chapter Forty-Six

My hand trembled and I pulled back.

My whole body shook and I thought I might be sick.

“Just talk to him,” I whispered to the empty hallway. “He loves you. It'll be fine.”

I counted to ten and forced my hand to move. I knocked. It was clear and loud and I glanced around the hallway, sure that heads were about to pop out of every room and yell at me.

No doors opened.

Silence hung in the hallway. The pale light of the coming dawn flickered like a ghost in the windows as I waited. I thought of running away. I thought of just going back to my room and hiding under the covers until I had courage again.

But it had to be now. I would be on a plane in an hour.

Unless Freddie stopped me.

If he said I should stay, I would cancel my flight. I would stay here with him and deal with the consequences of the Stair Walk. I would do it for him.

My heartbeat thundered in my chest, too fast and completely unsteady. I should probably see a doctor about that, I thought. Or have a little less caffeine.

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