I hang my coat on the back of my chair and drop my purse into the bottom drawer of my desk before I go in search of Tate. She wouldn’t miss two days of work, not without telling anyone. Her desk is empty, her computer turned off, so I try the kitchen but don’t find her there either.
I head down to the HR department, poking my head through the door and call to Josie, “Have you heard from Tate?” I ask.
She frowns, “I was going to ask you the same. She hasn’t clocked in today and didn’t yesterday, but she hasn’t booked time off. You live together, right?”
I nod my head, “Yeah, but she didn’t come home last night, and I didn’t see her yesterday.”
The worry blooms something fierce inside my gut.
Josie’s brows lower in concern, “Do you think she’s okay?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I nod, not believing myself, “I’ll try calling her again.”
I leave the HR department and head back to my desk, dialing her number again but again, it doesn’t ring and goes straight to answer phone.
“Tate, where are you? I’m worried sick. Just message me or something, let me know you’re okay.” I leave my message and then hang up, slumping back in my chair. I spot Garrett walking through the office heading towards his father's office, so I scramble to my feet, hurrying over.
“Eleanor,” he greets and turns his back on me, continuing on his way.
“Have you seen Tate!?” I rush out.
He stiffens, “This morning.” His voice sounds strange, like the words pain him, “she was still asleep when I left.”
“Wait, she stayed with you? She’s not picking up the phone, and she always messages when she isn’t going to be home.”
Garrett turns to me, eyes dropping down my body and then back up, leveling his dark stare on me, “she had been drinking. Maybe she forgot.”
He was lying.
“Right,” I say, “okay.”
Something was very wrong. I watch Garrett enter his father's office and then head down, slipping out onto the street to dial the police. I’d report her missing despite what Garrett is claiming. I didn’t believe she was at his house. Just before I can hit the call button a message pops up on my phone.
Tate: Hi Eleanor, sorry, I’m taking some time out. We’ll speak soon.
Everything was wrong. Everything. I stare at the message as my blood turns to ice. Tate was missing. Someone had her phone, someone who doesn’t know how she and I talk, even when we are being serious. She never calls me Eleanor. She never just disappears without a word. Tears well in my eyes, spilling over and down my cheeks.
My best friend was missing. Possibly in danger and I had no idea what to do.