Page 120 of No Headlines Please

I didn't want to owe Tessa anything.

But like a selfish clod, I felt too bitter to add anything extra.

This included the hydrangea, which I was definitely bringing with me.

I couldn’t let it die, could I? And besides, the flower wasn't food so it didn't count.

And yes, I did realize the whole food thing was slightly ridiculous – and not only because I'd kept a list.

If I was truly keeping score, I also owed Maddox – or whatever his name was. I'd survived on those restaurant leftovers for nearly three days before touching anything of Tessa's.

And now, as I stared at the groceries, I couldn't help but recall how he'd ordered me that extra lobster bisque just because I'd liked it. It had been so incredibly sweet that even now, I felt a stupid urge to smile.

It was the sort of thing that probably happened to Tessa all the time. And yet, it was the first time it had ever happened to me.

But then, my urge to smile faltered. If Tessa had been sitting next to me, he probably would've ordered bisque for her instead.

But what did it matter?

Obviously, he'd only invited me to dinner at all to conduct some sort of surveillance. What was it, anyway? A test to see if I'd blab about some court case?

No wonder he'd been so eager to talk about me and my problems.

Good thing I hadn't blabbed, huh?

The whole thing was such a sham. And yet, I couldn't stop my brain from filling in the blanks – dropping Tessa into that dinner instead of me.

I didn't even have to change the dress – except she looked better in it.

Shit.

There it was again. The stupid self-pity that I couldn't seem to shake.

As my thoughts swirled, I returned my attention to Janet. "I'm just trying to be organized, that's all."

She smiled. "So…if you're not packing it, do you want some help putting it away?"

Actually, I did.

Or rather, what I really wanted was company. But this wasn't my apartment, and it still seemed wrong to invite someone in when I was a guest myself.

"No, thanks," I said for the umpteenth time. "I've done the hardest part already."

"So, how about later?" she asked. "Want to grab dinner? You can tell me where you're moving."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Actually, I can't, because I still don't know." I'd told her this at least twice already, so she was obviously teasing.

"But can you not know?" She gave me a winning smile. "What are you gonna do? Get in your car and see where it takes you?"

At the mention of my car, my stomach tightened. My ancient Ford Focus was still in that stupid parking garage. Or, at least, I sure hoped it was.

Even though I'd been at Tessa's for weeks, I hadn't ventured anywhere near that garage – at first, because I had no money and then because I'd lost my nerve.

And besides, moving it closer had seemed pointless, because I'd have to pay a small fortune no matter where I parked it. Yes, even here.

But now that I was on the verge of leaving, I really did need to move it closer.

I was dreading it just a little. Was the car okay? Was my stuff still inside? Was the car still there?