Page 73 of Miss Fortune

I burst out with a giggle. “Still am, and you secretly love my hugs.”

“They’ve grown on me for sure.”

Guilt suddenly hit me. “I need to tell you something. Something I probably should’ve told you a long time ago, but the longer I delayed, the harder it was to bring up.”

Her brows drew together. “Sounds serious.”

“Yes and no. Um, I had a heart transplant six months before I moved here.”

I’d rendered her speechless.

“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want people to treat me differently, like they do back home.”

“Are you okay? Can I ask that?”

“Of course you can. I’m good. I follow up with a doctor every six months, take my medication, and have had no issues.” I knocked on wood real quick.

“I promise not to treat you any differently.”

“Thank you. Change the subject. Quick.”

She smiled. “You still enjoying your apartment here?”

“I love it. Definitely better than our old building.”

“Definitely. I’ve always wondered. Why did you choose to move into the run-down apartment building in south LA, of all places, if you could afford better?”

“I had some money saved up when I quit my job, but it was so expensive out here compared to Iowa or Texas. Money was tight when I first arrived, but when I turned twenty-five I inherited a trust from my grandmother. If I’d had the money sooner, I would’ve given it to you for Penny’s treatment.” Tory and her sister had struggled for years to pay for her daughter’s medical bills out of pocket. With every fiber of my being, I had wished I could have helped.

She shook her head. “First, I know you would’ve offered if you could have; second, I wouldn’t have taken it; and third, you babysat Penny for a fraction of the cost you could’ve charged. You loving her and taking care of her the way you did was the most generous thing you could’ve ever given us. I’m glad you told me about your transplant.”

“Me too. You realize what’s gotta happen now, right?”

She chuckled, not bothering to reject my hug. Once we broke away, she sighed. “Is a move to Seattle still on the table?”

“Yeah. I should probably travel up there and get a feel for the city.”

“Or you could renew your lease and stay another year. I hear it rains a lot there.”

Obviously, she was biased about me moving away. Yet I didn’t have the expected enthusiasm for it either. Maybe because moving to LA had been a grand adventure, but it hadn’t been without its struggles. Now I knew what it was like to relocate, it didn’t hold the same appeal. At least I’d known Doris when I’d moved here. Then I’d met Tory and Penny, and now I was friends with Kelsey. It meant something to have the type of friends who would do anything for you.

What would Caleb say if he knew I was contemplating another year in LA? It was the burning question on my mind when he picked me up at four o’clock.

I’d settled on the long navy dress, tan strappy sandals, and my hair up in a classic twist. The only pop of bright color were my red lips and my matching clutch.

“You look gorgeous,” Caleb complimented, getting out of his car and opening the passenger side door for me. He was always the gentleman.

“Thank you. You look handsome.” Despite not missing weekday Caleb, I forgotten how hot he was in a suit and tie.

“Thanks. If the traffic gods are on our side, we might have time to stop for dinner before going.”

“Won’t there be food at the party?”

“Probably pretentious little canapes but nothing substantial.”

Looking over, I could see the tension in him as he gripped the steering wheel. “There’s nothing worse than pretentious canapes. Oh, except for the condescending ones.”

His lips twitched, but the tension remained.