#Chapter 49: Necessity

Ava It was only moments after I saw Chris retreat inside that I found myself hurring up the steps to the Packhouse’s entrance, my heart pounding in my ears. Leonard’s words replayed over and over in my mind—there was a way for Chris and I to be together, if that was truly what we both wanted. But did he want that? After the look of anger and disdain he had shot me moments before disappearing inside, I couldn’t be certain of anything anymore. Pushing through the arched front doors, I paused just inside the foyer to get my bearings. The entrance hall was blessedly empty now that Lily’s entourage was leaving—although I couldn’t help but wonder why. As I made my way up the stairs toward Chris’s office, where I assumed he might be, I wondered if perhaps their date hadn’t gone to plan. Without even knocking, I flung the door open to his office and stepped in. “Chris, what’s going on?” Chris, who was standing by the window and looking out at the gardens below, snapped his he