Avoiding suspicion, I walk briskly but without running toward the back of the building. Once I’m out of the driver’s sight, I pick up the pace and spot an SUV—Nathan is already waiting. He steps out almost immediately and, like everyone else, looks stunned by my appearance.

"Have you been waiting long?" I ask, hoping to distract him from the judgment in his cold stare.

"Not too long. For a moment, I thought you wouldn’t come—especially when you didn’t answer my messages," he ...