“Why else would I be here? We’re not friends. We don’t talk. I have no reason to deal with you.”
“Bug …” It had been years since I’d called her by that nickname. It felt good.Right. “I—”
She held up a hand. “Don’t, Wes. We’re not good. This isn’t a catch-up session. And my name is Albany.”
I didn’t need a reminder of who she was. “Point taken,” I conceded. “It’s been a long time. I guess I have to get used to being around you and not being able to talk to you.”
“Why is that a problem for you now? You didn’t feel the need to talk to me when you moved to the other side of the state without even saying goodbye. You didn’t feel the need to answer any of my calls or even write a two-sentence reply to one of my letters.” She blew out a harsh breath. “I’ve wasted so much time analyzing that night, wondering if I did something wrong.”
My heart squeezed in my chest as shame rolled through me like waves. I absolutely deserved her rage, but … the pain on her face combined with the searing guilt that had settled in my gut nearly broke me. “You did nothing wrong.”
“Oh, I know that. Now.” She cursed under her breath, but then she sat up, spine straight, eyes boring into mine. “But that’s neither here nor there. The facts haven’t changed. You hurt me. Fuck you.”
I blinked.ThisAlbany wasn’t a stranger to me. She was feisty, secure, and strong. And that’s why I loved her. “If I could go back to that night …” My words trailed off because there was no good excuse for the way I’d left things.
“Are we done here?” She arched a brow. “I have things to do.”
But I didn’t want her to go, and damn it, I was going to prolong this as long as I could. “Like what?”
She scoffed. “Seriously? Why would I tell you anything about my life?”
“You don’t have to tell me about your life,” I said lamely. Because, yep … I was acting like a desperate muthafucka fighting a losing battle to hold on to something that was lost to me forever.
“I’m glad you know that.”
“What have you found out about Ms. Tea?”
Albany leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “She’s local. She doesn’t like you. Or she’spretendingnot to like you. She’s familiar with your habits because you never change. This is why she’s able to catch you doing your dirt. A former lover? Maybe a nosy neighbor? Family, perhaps? Someone with a definite axe to grind. And your head is her target. This is also why you’re in deep shit if we don’t unmask her soon.”
“Granny told you my job is on the line.” It wasn’t a question because I already knew the answer.
“What do you think?” she tossed back with a hard roll of her beautiful, expressive eyes. Back then, I could always tell what she was thinking just by looking into those brown orbs. Obviously, she’d schooled herself to be less obvious in her reactions, but …I know her.
“So why accept the job?” Her phone buzzed and she glanced at the screen. As she peered down, I noticed the furrow that formed on her brow. “Albany?”
She muttered a curse and stood. “My reasons are none of your business anymore. If I have any questions about your influencer, I’ll reach out. Otherwise, just let me do my job. Don’t approach me, don’t talk to me. Have a good day.”
Then she left, taking my heart with her.
Chapter 5
Albany
Ten minutes.
My fingertips brushed the leather of the steering wheel, my nail catching on the short, frayed thread that I’d never bothered to cut off. My trusty car, my 2013 black Ford Taurus had carried me through blizzards, torrential storms, sneaky links, drive-thru collisions, silent tears, loud screams … and one precarious car chase. The mileage was high, the maintenance was expensive, but I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of the first car I’d ever purchased with my own money. Even though I knew it was time.
Eleven minutes.
As the sun hung low in the sky, daylight lingered while time moved fast. Extended sunshine was the best part of June. Long days made dark nights seem less haunting, less lonely. Everything felt clean, almost perfect right around mid-month. The breeze, the smell, the city. The anticipation of summer had always made life better. Until it didn’t. Until warmth became entangled and associated with crushing heartbreak.
Twelve minutes.
I was born on the twenty-third of the month. A true Cancer according to my grandmother. Unlike anyone I’ve known, Grandma read her horoscope daily. She studied birth charts and often talked about sun, moon, and rising signs. She knew who was compatible based on their birth date. As for her, Aquarius men and women need not apply for any sort of companionship.
Growing up, I loved that she wasn’t a stereotypical grandmother. While she was into astrology, she still loved the Lord. But she wasn’t preachy. Definitely preferred the quick, early morning church service as opposed to the longer afternoon service. Bible study? Nah. Choir rehearsal? The only person who ever heard her sing aloud was herself. Tithes and offerings? Every single week. Ten percent. Plus extra for the building fund and the mission department. But don’t get on her bad side, because she could cuss as good as a sailor and had no problem telling anyone off if they crossed her. I loved her. I wanted her to be okay. Because she’d always made sure I was good. So …
Fifteen minutes.
