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today.”
    So these were her plans. Brady was definitely over.
    â€œWhat time did she get there?” I asked as he backed out of the parking spot and drove through the lot, headed for the main street.
    He kept his gaze focused out the front window. “About four? They started drinking right away.”
    I stared at Levi’s profile and for a second wished neither of us was involved in this. We’d been having a good time. He’d been sweet. And so cute. I had an urge to leave Kya to figure this out on her own for once. But I glanced out the window and shook off the thought.
    She needed me.
    And thank God Levi was involved. If it weren’t for him, I’d have no idea where she was.
    He came to a halt at a four-way stop. He flicked on the right turn signal and glanced over. “I hope I didn’t screw things up by not telling you about Kya earlier.”
    A ticklish feeling wiggled inside my belly. I bit my lip to hold back an entirely inappropriate smile but couldn’t stop a swoop of pleasure that washed away some of the bad feelings.
    â€œLet’s go and get her, okay?” I said softly. “I need to know that she’s all right.”
    Trouble was, I didn’t know if she would be. Not for a very long time.
    Â 

chapter eight
    Levi drove down a quiet suburban street in a newer area of Tadita, with earth-toned matchy-match houses and well-maintained lawns. The whole street reeked of lavender and the less subtle scent of successful young couples and perfect but invisible children. There was no activity anywhere. Quiet, unused trampolines sunbathed in backyards with no sign of life.
    â€œThis is where you live?” I asked when Levi pulled into a driveway with a triple-car garage. Huge planters filled with colorful flowers lined the sidewalk all the way to the front door.
    Levi turned off the car and nodded. “Temporarily.”
    â€œIt’s nice.”
    â€œAppearances can be deceiving. Come on.”
    We hopped out of the car, and I followed him up the driveway and waited while he punched numbers into the code-locked door. I crept into the house behind him but stopped on an area rug in the front hallway. He walked further without taking off his sneakers.
    The front entrance was large and dim with dark hardwood running down the hallway into a kitchen visible around the corner. A large, mirrored closet behind me reflected a table with a vase filled with bright sunflowers. They looked fake, but I couldn’t be sure.
    â€œThey’re definitely not here,” Levi called. “Too quiet. They were whooping it up in the basement when I left.” His footsteps clomped downstairs and then a door opened. A minute later, he returned to the front hall, shaking his head.
    â€œDamn,” I said. “What the hell is she doing?” I pulled my phone from my purse and speed dialed James’s number.
    He answered on the second ring and I heard the groan of a vacuum cleaner shutting down in the background.
    â€œJames?”
    â€œThat’s what my parents called me,” he answered.
    â€œHave you talked to Kya?”
    â€œI’m swellsville, Grace. Thanks for your interest in my well-being. But negatory. I have not had contact with our dear Kya this entire day.”
    â€œShoot.” I sensed Levi watching but didn’t look at him.
    â€œWhat’s up?” James asked. “What’s she done now?” He didn’t bother to disguise the edge of impatience in his voice.
    I swiveled slightly on my heels. “I’m worried about her. I need to find her.” I heard footsteps and turned to see Levi going to the kitchen.
    James sighed. “Well. You know Kya. If she’s on a mission of self-destruction, she’ll go dark if she doesn’t want to be found,” James said. “I wouldn’t worry about her.”
    In the kitchen, water whooshed out of a tap.
    â€œJames, this is different.” He was right, of