The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 340

A sharp beep confirmed the payment. Suzie weighed the scanner in her hand for a second before firing off one last insult.

"Upgrade your equipment next time. Even cheap diners have better tech than this."

With that, she grabbed Mia's hand. "Let's go."

As she marched toward the exit, Suzie braced herself. If that bastard dared to follow her, she was fully prepared to channel her inner Margaret and cause an absolute scene.

"He didn't follow us," Mia whispered, practically jogging to keep up. "Suzie, you've gotten so brave."

"What? Was I a coward before?"

"Wrong word," Mia laughed. "I should have said fierce. That was incredible."

"You brat," Suzie teased, nudging her friend playfully as they reached the elevator bank.

Just as their elevator doors slid open and they stepped inside, a soft ding announced the arrival of the adjacent car.

Suzie couldn't help but glance over.

For a split second, her eyes locked onto someone stepping out, and her breath hitched.

The woman exiting the neighboring elevator looked exactly like Hayden's girlfriend, Alice.

As the doors closed and the elevator began its descent, Suzie replayed the image in her mind. She was certain it was her.

Was Alice back in town?

Wasn't she supposed to return in a few days?

Suzie lunged to press the close button, but the car was already moving.

"Suzie, do you think that was Alice?" Mia asked, noticing her friend's sudden anxiety.

"Yeah. Did you get a good look at her?"

"I only caught a glimpse, but it definitely looked like her. You should ask Hayden once we get out."

Suzie nodded, though an uneasy feeling settled in her stomach.

If she remembered correctly, Hayden had explicitly mentioned before they left the office that Alice wouldn't be back for another day or two.

"All right, Hayden," she replied quietly.

Hanging up, Suzie frowned deeply. Maybe she really had just mistaken someone else for Alice.

After a moment of silence, she turned to Mia.

"Mia, head back to the studio first. I need to run an errand, but I will be back soon."

Mia's eyes lingered on the faint purple bruising still visible on Suzie's forehead. "Okay. Are you going to pick up your car? Have you had a doctor look at your head again?"

Suzie nodded reassuringly. "Once I get my car, I'll go get it checked out. Don't worry."

After watching Mia climb into a cab, Suzie hailed one for herself.

She gave the driver the address Chester had sent her earlier. As she arrived, she spotted her car parked right in front of the dealership.

Suzie paid her fare and hurried over to retrieve it.

Things were slow at the studio this afternoon, so once she got her keys, she figured she would stop by Chaim Cosmetic Clinic.