Chapter 107 Felt like a broken record

• Alice let herself into Nathan's apartment, heart beating a wild rhythm in her chest. She leaned against the door, knuckles gripping the knob as though unwilling to take the necessary steps into the room, worry and dread turning her skin cold. She took a deep breath forcing much needed air into her lungs, tight with anxiety as she silently tried to reassure herself with Kim's words.
• She could hear the low murmur of voices coming from the balcony and Alice muttered another prayer as she forced her steps in that direction. Nathan and Noel occupied the two wrought chairs, both men slumped against the furniture in a drunken sprawl with Nathan facing away from the door, nursing half filled glasses filled with what Alice knew would surely be alcohol. A half empty bottle of Jack Daniels sat atop the table and her heart sank. Dealing with a sober Nathan was hard in itself, but when he was intoxicated, heaven only knew what his reaction would be.
• Noel noticed her first and straightened, acknowledging her presence with a discreet nod. He made a show of checking his watch and leaned forward to set down his drink. "Dude, I gotta get back to the office, someone needs to handle the fallout from the failed conference."