Chapter 16

Noah’s voice is soft when he lies to me. “Avery, just… listen a second.” His hand is open on the table between us, palm up, like I’m a skittish animal he’s trying not to startle. The private room smells like leather and old money; outside the frosted glass I hear muted clink of glasses, low jazz, the city’s heartbeat. Inside his head it’s a riot. I never meant for it to go this far. She was supposed to be leverage. Mia, I’m trying to fix it, I swear— I tighten my...