Free The Hardest Part by Heather London Page A

up, he was again looking at me with something new in his eyes — sympathy and pity.
    He ended the call and put the phone down before scooting across the seat, coming closer to me, slow and cautious. My face must have said it all. Even I could feel the fear and confusion all over it.
    " Are you okay?" he asked.
    He was still a few inches away, but he was close enough that I could feel the heat of his body and smell the scent of his cologne. I could still feel his arms around me. I could still smell him on me.
    " I'm fine," I mumbled, feeling my heart beating wildly in my chest. I didn’t know if it was still going crazy from what had happened back there, the feeling of his arms around me, or from his close proximity right now. Maybe a mixture of all three.
    Quickly, I looked away, not expecting the rush of heat to my cheeks or the pain in my chest. I blew out a large breath and tried to focus on what had just happened: the flashes, the yelling, the pictures, Reed mentioning the paparazzi and reporters. Then it all fell into place and the realization sent my heart into my throat. They were all taking pictures of me. Pictures that could be published in magazines and newspapers. Pictures that could get back to Jake. He could figure out my new name. Where I was living.
    " Emily, you don't look so well," Reed said. I turned toward him. He scanned my face, which I was sure was white as a ghost right now.
    " Um." I forced down my panic. I didn't want to lose it in front of Reed. I just wanted to go home. "I'm fine." I shook my head and tried to empty the negative thoughts, at least for a few more minutes anyway. Maybe they just wanted pictures of Reed, and I had nothing to worry about. Maybe they didn't get a good picture of me. Maybe Jake wouldn't even see it. Even if they did happen to get a shot, there was a good chance they wouldn't print it. I was a nobody. "I just really need to get home," I said, shifting away from him.
    " Are you sure? That had to have freaked you out, considering…" His voice trailed off.
    " Considering what?"
    He sat back, clearly regretting what he just said.
    " Considering what?" I asked again, this time my voice held some annoyance and anger. I didn't want him assuming anything about me.
    " Nothing. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I just know where you and Lexi met, but she didn't tell me anything. My assumptions are my own."
    Of course Lexi didn't tell him anything. She didn't know anything about me.
    We stared at each other for a long second before Reed's phone rang, making me jump. He held the phone to his ear, staring at me with the same serious yet regretful expression.
    " Peters," he said, never taking his eyes off me. "Yes, I know." He paused and listened. Then he pulled his bottom lip into his mouth and bit down, clearly angry about something. "Dammit. I'll head there now. They were waiting for us outside a restaurant, too. Would you call Robbins and have him meet me at the back of Lexi's building? Yes. Thank you, Peters." He set the phone back down on the seat and let out a long, steady breath, not saying anything for a few seconds.
    " I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. It's none of my business," he finally said.
    " It's fine." I sensed a change in him. The phone call he just received clearly upset him. He wouldn't look me in the eye and he was tapping his fingers nervously against his bouncing leg.
    " What was the phone call about?" I asked, knowing it was none of my business. I couldn't help but be curious when he mentioned Lexi's name.
    " It's Lexi." His voice broke on her name and he had to clear his throat. "The press swarmed her outside her apartment, asking questions, talking about the attack, saying horrible things. I guess trying to get her talking. It scared the shit out of her and now she won't come out of her bathroom. I'm headed over there after I drop you off."
    " Oh my God." I shook my head. "Why can't they just leave her alone? She's been through so much