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April would be proud.
Still, I glare at her, fighting the urge to smile. “Yes. Whatever it takes,” I deadpan, hoping my face isn’t flaming.
She smirks. “Well, in that case, the black blouse.”
I nod. “Perfect. That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”
I can’t remember the last time I bothered to dress up, but as I study my reflection in the full-length mirror and smooth my black skirt, I realize I need to do it more. With my hair curled into loose waves and a subtle bit of chocolate brown eyeliner to make my dark blue eyes pop, I feel like I can take on the world.
And possibly convince a detective to help me.
Is it an impossible task? Probably.
But I’m trying for April.
“What if they won’t help you?” Devyn asks softly, staring down at my comforter. “Then what do we do?”
They have to help, I think.
“We continue doing what we’re doing. We don’t shut up until the whole world knows April’s name,” I say. “And we fundraise enough to make the reward money impossible to ignore.”
“You’re a good friend,” Devyn says with a soft smile.
“Nah, April’s the good one,” I say, shaking my head. “She’s worth looking for. The world’s a crappier place without her.”
“I wish I had a friend like you,” Devyn sighs, playing with a strand of her hair. A pang of guilt hits my chest, and I turn away from the mirror to face her.
“Devyn, you do,” I say gently. “We are friends.”
She looks at me, dumbfounded, then her mouth slowly pulls into a brilliant smile. “Really?” she asks excitedly, as if she can’t believe what I’m saying.
I bark out a laugh. “Yes! Why would I invite you over if I didn’t consider you a friend?”
“You said you needed my help with something!” she shoots back.
“Yeah, but why would I do that if you weren’t my friend?”
Devyn squeals and punches the air.
“Oh my God, I’m friends with both you and April! I’m friends with the cool girls! You guys are like my older sisters!”
I stare at her, dumbfounded, as she kicks her feet delightedly and sips her coffee.
“I am definitely not cool,” I tell her as she continues to beam. “I’m twenty-nine years old and work at a coffee shop.”
“Yeah, and you have the best bed ever, and you’re about to get yourself some hot detectives,” she says in between loud slurps of her drink.
And I thought I drank too much caffeine.
But Devyn continues to look enthused. It’s the peppiest she’s been since April disappeared, and I can’t help but absorb some of her positivity.
I do have the best bed ever, and I will get someone to help us.
There’s no other option.
* * *
My heart races the entire drive to the bureau’s office.
