Scarlett P.O.V

"The search continues for Sienna Davenport, the world-renowned model that disappeared two weeks ago. Police have advised anyone with information about the case to please, come forward. Th-"

The cabbie shuts off the radio playing low throughout the car as we come to a stop.

He mumbles something along the lines of, what a crazy world, but I'm only half listening as I look out my window at the Klover Motel.

Or, according to the sign boasting its name, The Loe Motel, since the lights in the rest of the letters were out. But lights seem like the least of their problems since a couple of the windows on the second floor are cracked and taped up. Then, more importantly, one room is blocked off with police tape. Yet none of that appears to slow down business, given the packed parking lot.

And honestly, that was probably due to the bottom-of-the-barrel rates and live entertainment loitering on the sidewalk. If not, I couldn't see much draw to the place.

"Are you sure you wanna get out here?" The cabbie asks, eyes shifting between his side window and my reflection in the rearview mirror.

Hearing the concern in his voice, I check the app once more. Maddox's, my childhood best friend, location hadn't changed once throughout the drive over. So, unfortunately, this was my destination.

"Yes." I hand him enough bills to cover the fare plus a tip and get out. Careful of the long split running up the left side of my dress. Flashing someone wasn't a part of my plans tonight.

While standing on the sidewalk, the red sequins on my dress catch the light from the streetlamp and attract more than a few stares. The form-fitting trumpet gown was perfect for my original plans for the evening - an early dinner followed by dancing and a late-night showing of a few timeless classic films - but not here.

I stand out like a Christmas tree in July. And never have I felt more uncomfortable and out of place than I did at this moment.

I contemplate hopping back into the taxi, but before I can decide, he books it down the street, leaving me with no other choice.

I head to Maddox's pride and joy, a 1970 black Dodge Challenger that he and my grandfather had spent a few summers restoring. The time, effort, and... sweat they'd poured into the former rust bucket had definitely paid off. It was now worth a small fortune, but no amount of money would make Maddox sell it. The memories it held were priceless.

But instead of letting it collect dust in a garage, he prefers to use it instead of his truck whenever he's working.

And tonight is no exception. Parked between a blue minivan and a silver Camry with its back window replaced with plastic, the sweet ride has a direct view of the hotel.

A sharp whistle comes from my right while passing a dank, dark alley, but I ignore it and keep moving forward. I don't need the trouble. This day has already been long enough without adding further complications.

Arriving at the car, I lightly tap my knuckles against the cool glass of the passenger side window.

Maddox's head whips in my direction as his hand reaches for his waistband. Through the fabric of his black t-shirt, I can just make out the faint outline of his gun.

Oh, my God.

"It's me! It's me!" I move slightly back so he can see me clearly in the streetlight.

What the hell had I been thinking coming out here?

The wine I consumed for dinner had made this seem like a sound idea. Now, not so much.

Once he confirms, for himself, that it's me, he runs his hands over the deep-set waves in his hair and hits the door locks.

I open the door and climb inside. And as soon as I go to greet him, he speaks over me. "Goddamn it, Scarlett! What are you doing here? And how did you even find me?" He asks, his voice a little rough as if he hasn't spoken to a soul in hours.

I'd wager one month's paycheck that he hasn't. It was one of the drawbacks of being a private investigator. He spent most of his time waiting in silence. It sounded like hell to a social butterfly like me but to each their own.

"What do you mean? You're always skulking around sleazy motels." I tease, running my finger along the lens of his Canon Rebel T3i. The hi-tech device set him back a couple of hundred dollars, but given his line of work, it's a necessity.

"Funny." He dryly retorts.

Smiling, I lightly shake my phone. "Find my Friend app."

"Oh, I forgot we installed that."

"Me too."

"So what made you use it now?"

"I just wanted to drop by and see you."

"Drop by?! This is a fucking side street, Scarlett. Not my house. Tell me the truth."

I stay quiet and look straight ahead, feigning interest in the "baby on board" sticker on the van's rear window, but I can feel those grayish-blue eyes of his boring into the side of my head.

"Wait a minute, didn't you say you had a date tonight?" He asks as if my outfit isn't a huge giveaway.

"Yes, I did."

"What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Alright, fine. If you don't want to talk, we won't talk then." He mumbles, lying his head back and looking out the window. Neither of us speaks. It's completely silent, but I know it won't last long. He's never been the type to let things go. Not until he got the truth. The complete truth. And any second now, he would continue his line of questioning.

Any sec...

"Did you get stood up?!"

The corner of my lips quiver, but I suppress the urge to smile. It was only natural I could read him like an open book after knowing him for 15 years. But I have to admit his relentless pursuit of discovering the truth could be a bit annoying.

"Yes," I softly admit, somewhat embarrassed to say the words aloud.

"Well, it's his loss." He falls silent as someone in a black Lincoln town car creeps past. Its tinted windows don't divulge anything about the occupants, so Maddox keeps an eye on it until it turns the corner. "I'm sure the next one will go much better."

"Next one? Oh no. I'm not doing this again."

Going on all these dates only to incur disappointment after disappointment had gotten old fast. It was becoming an unnecessary headache. Did finding someone I truly connected with have to be this hard? I mean... At this point, it felt like I'd have better chances of winning the lottery than finding a boyfriend.

"So you're quitting?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"Good?!" I turn to him so fast that I accidentally knock over the grease-stained Burger King bag on the floor. Two balled-up wrappers and a couple of stale fries tumble out, but I don't move to pick them up, too focused on him. "What the hell, Maddox?! Aren't you supposed to say something deep or at least cliche that encourages me to keep going?"

His face scrunches up as if he just got a whiff of something foul. "Nah."

"Well, that's what I would do if the situation were reversed."

"But it's not." He points out, earning a glare from me. "And besides, why would I do that when I don't like seeing you going on all these dates?"

My stomach tightens. "Why don't you like it?" My voice sounds so small, lost underneath the rapid tempo of my heartbeat.

"Because you're my best friend, and I'm tired of seeing you get your hopes up only to be crushed. Time and time again."

Of course, that's what he meant. It's not like he would suddenly profess his undying love.

I exhale. "Aww, you care."

He chuckles. "Yeah, I do."

"And I bet you're happy you have Francesca and don't have to go through this."

"Yeah... I guess. But our uh..." He clears his throat. "Arrangement isn't exactly ideal for everyone."

"Yeah, but it's still a helluva lot better than nothing."

"I don't kno-"

"Someone's pulling into the hotel!" I interject, pointing at the black Lincoln town car turning into the lot. Unlike the first, there are no tinted windows, and we can clearly see the two men inside.

Maddox watches them for a moment before grabbing his camera. "It's about damn time."

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Thank you for reading!