OBSESSED

46

LEAH

"What?" Jarrod coughed out. "She's here? As in, here the fucking club?"

I touched his arm to calm both of us. Holy shit. Anne Sylvia was here.

What the hell was she doing here?

I mean, she had every right. It was a public place. I couldn't deny that it was suspicious, though.

"Where'd you see her?" I asked, turning back to Isabelle.

Her blue eyes were wide in concern for me as they flickered around the club. "I saw her in the bathroom. She didn't recognize me, obviously, but I know it was her."

Isabelle and Ryan were my friend circle from college, so they never crossed paths with Anne or anyone from back home. The only reason Isabelle even knew about Anne was because Anne sent me a drunk text about a year ago talking about how much of a bitch I was to her after she came out. I didn't understand what she meant, because she had been the one who wanted to stop being friends once she told me. I'd only ever tried to support her. People, in my opinion, can't help who they love. Who was anyone to judge that?

Raking my fingers through my hair, I tried to imagine what seeing Anne for myself would be like. I didn't want to believe she was actually here. Maybe Isabelle mistook another woman for her. Still, a part of me believed it. It wouldn't be too far-fetched that she was still pissed with me. That couldn't be what this was about, though. Coincidence was the only excuse.

Jarrod wrapped his hand around my arm to get my attention. I nestled into him, conflicted and uncertain.

"Do you want me to help you find her?" he asked loudly in my ear. The chaotic thumping of the bass made it hard to hear.

I should've let it be. I should have realized that my bridge to Anne was permanent burned forever. In the moment, though, it seemed like this might be my last chance to make things right with her. Maybe we could even be friends again.

Nodding, I took Jarrod's hand and led him off the dance floor. Isabelle stayed back to fill Ryan in. He didn't know as much about Anne as she did. We went to the bar first. It was a best vantage point in the building and it was quieter.

"Why would she show up here?" he asked.

"She wanted to have a drink," I suggested with a shrug. "It's coincidence. Obviously."

His brows knitted together. "Are you sure? Leah, didn't Isabelle tag you in her post? She could've seen you were here."

"That's insane," I said. "She didn't do that."

"She did text you the other night."

I waved his remark off. It was happenstance. Anne didn't actually care enough about me to stalk me like that. She wasn't a lunatic.

My eyes scanned the crowd but there so many people everywhere. The dim club lighting also limited my visibility. Picking out one individual was almost impossible.

"I'm going to the bathroom to see if she's still there," I decided and slid off the barstool.

Hesitating, I looked up at Jarrod's handsome face. He was so unbelievably beautiful. For a second, I almost changed my mind about wanting to talk to Anne. I could just pretend Isabelle never said anything. She was most likely wrong anyway. Jarrod and I should have been enjoying the party with my friends. I wish my curiosity didn't have to put a damper on things.