The Odd One Out at Halloween

Chapter 3

"Nadine, are you coming or not? We're all waiting on the rooftop terrace."

I'd barely swallowed the allergy medicine when Conrad's voice message appeared in our group chat.

The hives on my neck hadn't faded. Pressing a hand to my tight chest, I took a cab to our group's private hideaway.

But when I pushed open the metal door, the terrace was deserted.

Empty bottles and takeout containers littered the ground. The cake had been poked at until it was a mess.

I called Conrad. It rang for a long time before he answered.

"So you finally remembered to call? We waited over an hour. We've already left."

His words were slurred with alcohol. He added, "Since you're there, clean up the bottles. Otherwise, building management will fine us again tomorrow."

He hung up.

I sat on the couch and noticed a stack of papers on the round glass table.

The title read Island Seasons Townhouses Lease Agreement.

I turned to the first page. All four of their names were listed as tenants.

The lease was for 3 years, covering four neighboring townhouses. A hand-drawn plan was tucked into the last page. All four homes would be connected around a large central courtyard.

Laughter drifted up from the stairwell.

The four of them emerged carrying late-night food. Felicity was in front. Her expression changed when she saw what I was holding.

She rushed over and snatched the agreement from my hands.

"Forget something?" I asked with a smile.

"There are only four units in the first phase. We couldn't split them between five people, so we didn't mention it."

She stuffed the agreement into her bag, sounding as casual as if she were discussing dinner.

I turned to Conrad. My voice shook.

"When did you arrange this?"

He avoided my eyes, his tone stiff. "Felicity starts coughing whenever she gets cold in winter. Her doctor recommended a southern island so she could recover. We'll stay with her for a few months. You're healthy, and you're used to the north. Staying home is perfect for you."

Was that supposed to be perfect for me?

Just 3 months earlier, a book conservation studio in a historic southern town had sent me its final job offer. It was the opportunity I'd waited 5 years for.

That night, Conrad had wrapped his arms tightly around me from behind, his eyes red.

"Nadine, you know how bad my stomach is. How am I supposed to survive without your cooking? I can't stand long-distance relationships. Don't go."

My brother, Everett Bellamy, and Marissa had sat beside us, taking turns persuading me.

"It only feels like home when all five of us are together."

So I'd turned down the position.

But the deposit on that lease had been paid the very next day.

He'd made me so many promises. Not one of them included a future for me.

I stared at Conrad, enunciating every word as I asked, "You said you couldn't live without me. Was that just a lie to keep me here so the four of you could leave for the island without a care?"

Before he could answer, Felicity's eyes filled with tears. She came over and took my hand.

"It's all my fault, Nadine. I won't go away to recover. You can have my place. Please don't fight with Conrad."

He immediately pulled her behind him.

"Nadine, haven't you made enough of a scene? We're only going for a few months to help Felicity settle in. I never said I wouldn't come back and marry you. Do you have to guilt-trip all of us over your job?"

Felicity was still trembling in his arms. He held her close and took her downstairs without looking back.

Neither of the others spared me a glance as they followed.

Once again, I was alone on the terrace.

The wind was strong. I shivered in the cold.

I took out my phone and found a text from 3 months earlier.

It was from the instructor at the conservation studio.

Julian: Nadine, the position is yours until the end of the year.

After daybreak, I called him directly.

Delight filled his voice. "Nadine, you've finally changed your mind!"