Free Exposed - Part Two (The Exposed Series, #2) by Deborah Bladon

lap. "I've always trusted myself."
    "He's helped you believe that it's okay to have fun. He helped you trust that people don't care about the scar as much as you think they do."
    I nod. "I guess that's true."
    "Do you think we should pin my hair up or should I wear it down?" She lets her hair fall back down around her shoulders.
    I instantly pull her hand to my straightened dark hair. This is the first time in a long time that I haven't wished I looked exactly like Alexa. Maybe she's right. Maybe he has helped me trust in myself more. I trust that I'm enough now.
    "Let's pin it up." I reach to grab her overnight bag where she's stored all of her hair accessories. "Your neck is so beautiful. You should show it off."
    She reaches to grab my hand. "You're beautiful too. You believe that now, don't you?"
    "I do." I squeeze her hand as I smile at her reflection in the mirror.
    ***
    "T his is the place," Alexa shouts through the barrier at the cab driver as he pulls the car to a sudden halt next to the curb.
    "You're sure?" I glance out the window into the street and I don't see anything even remotely notable. I pull a few bills from my purse and hand them to the driver. My heart is beating so hard I can hear it in my ears.
    "It's the address that he wrote down." Alexa squints at the note that Hunter left in his suit jacket. "It's a restaurant so this has to be it."
    She pulls me towards the bank of windows and we both peer in. It's full and I can't imagine how we're going to weave our way through that crowd. People are laughing and as I scan the faces I don't see Hunter's anywhere. Maybe this was a mistake after all. Maybe we should just turn around and go back to Boston.
    "Mr. Reynolds invited us." Alexa has snuck over to the door and she's talking to an attractive man stationed there. I listen intently as she tells him she's single and asks what he's doing after the party. The fact that he now has her phone in his hand suggests she's already collected her first number of the night. It's impressive considering the fact that we haven't even gotten inside the building yet.
    "Sadie, let's go." She motions for me to follow her and I hesitate briefly before I step towards the entrance. I won't turn back now. Once Hunter sees me, I can't control his reaction. I just want so desperately for him to be as excited to see me, as I am to see him.
    We're greeted with the smell of delicious food and a warm ambiance. The restaurant is decorated in the same tones and warmth as Axel, back in Boston. I smile as I think back to Hunter taking me home that night and asking if I wanted to kiss him.
    "This is so much like Axel." I whisper into Alexa's ear, hoping she'll hear me above the noise in the room.
    "It's called Axel NY," she calls back towards me. "Did you know he was working on this?"
    I shake my head even though her gaze is cast forward and she can't see my reaction. Why wouldn't he have mentioned this was one of his projects when he saw me at the Boston location?
    "Let's grab a drink." She grabs tightly to my hand and weaves her way through the crowd to the bar. "Two of those," she yells to the bartender and I shudder at the thought of what she's just ordered for us. I don't let go of her hand as I search the room for Hunter. I still don't see him within the crowd.
    "I haven't noticed either of you lovely ladies in here before." A blond man grabs my arm and I recoil at his touch. He's older than us. Closer to Hunter's age I'd guess. Why would we have been here before tonight? It's the soft launch.
    "We're just in town visiting." Alexa spins back around so she's practically touching his nose.
    I tune out their conversation as I reach into my purse to fish for my phone. After checking for any messages from Hunter, I contemplate sending him a text telling him I'm here. I don't want to ruin the surprise though. I didn't come all this way to miss the reaction on his face when he sees me in the crowd.
    "Alexa, I'm..." my voice trails as I realize