“I’ll take care of it. You don’t have to worry.”

“I’m heading out.” Ernest rushed off with Quentin. He knew Hadley wouldn’t be easy to persuade. But he felt he had to do something.

Hadley watched him disappear down the road and let out a quiet sigh. He still hadn’t let go. Was Ernest trying to push her toward Eric? If so, he might end up disappointed.

She shook her head, clutching her dress with one hand and her bag with the other. She pretended not to notice Eric and started walking away.

“Hadley!” His voice rang out behind her. Eric hurried to catch up.

“Hold on.”

“Hmm?” She turned, wearing a faint smile.

“Don’t take Ernest seriously. I don’t need a babysitter. Go on. Do your thing.”

Was she really that eager to send him off? Did she dislike him that much?

“Tell me.” Eric frowned.

“Why do you hate me?”

The question caught her off guard. She stared at his face—too perfect, too familiar—and felt something sting inside her. That same face had once turned her world upside down. She’d fallen hard and fast. But he had forgotten it all.

“I’m not going anywhere.” He swallowed the tightness in his throat.

“Ernest asked me to stay, so I will.”

He looked straight at her.

“You think you can tell me to leave and I’ll just go? Who do you think you are to do that?”

She froze, unable to find a proper reply. Instead, she turned and walked off. If he wanted to follow, fine. She wasn’t going to stop him—or speak to him either.

Eric trailed after her without saying a word, keeping a careful pace. Not too close. Not too far.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. A message from Megan lit up the screen.

Get lost in stories on g?lnσνs﹒

“Eric, get back here. We’re one player short for cards.”

He stared at it for a moment, then typed back, “Play without me. Ernest needs to talk.”

He hit send and slipped the phone back into his pocket, eyes still fixed on Hadley. Thanks to Ernest, he was now officially on watch duty.

Eventually, even Brady noticed. He pulled Hadley aside.

“Hey, uh…” He tapped his temple and whispered, “He really doesn’t remember? He’s been staring at you all night.”

That look, however—unchanged from before.

“He doesn’t remember,” Hadley said plainly.

“And he’s following me around not because he wants to. Ernest asked him to keep an eye on me.”

“Oh.” Brady sighed.

“Even without the memories, some habits die hard… He still listens to Ernest.”

“Yeah.” She gave a small nod.

“Hadley…” He started to say something else, but her phone rang. At that same moment, Eric’s phone went off too.

Both of them picked up.

“Hello?”

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