Chapter 4

The knock on my hotel room door came at eight in the morning, soft but insistent. I'd been awake for hours anyway, staring at the ceiling and replaying the conversation with Travis's mother. The Christmas party loomed ahead like an execution date.

I shuffled to the door in my hotel robe, expecting housekeeping. Instead, I found myself face-to-face with Harlan Coleman, travel bag slung over his shoulder, concern etched deep in his familiar features.

"Harlan?" My voice came out as a croak. "What are you doing here?"

His eyes swept over me—taking in my hollow cheeks, the dark circles under…