As much as I hated leaving Derek and Charlie behind, I knew that my safest bet was leaving Oakland with Luke. Though I knew it would be an incredible feat to make it through any extended amount of time alone with him, I also knew that he had an uncompromising passion toward ensuring my safety. I couldn’t put a smile on my face and pretend that my decision had been an easy one; I didn’t like the idea of going with him, but I didn’t feel as if I had much of a choice if I wanted to live through the next few days.We only drove for a few minutes before Luke stopped off to feed the meter in the Oakland historic district. I kept my butt planted firmly in the passenger’s seat, but he dropped his face in the window and shook his head. “You can’t stay out here,” he said, nodding up at the building. “You have to come in with me.”“In there?” I asked, staring up at the building. “To your apartment?”“Julie,” he said, and his gentle tone wasn’t the least bit forced. “I only found out ten minutes ago that I’m leaving on this trip with you.
