Page 134 of His Wicked Revenge

I nod. “Yup.”

“So, you two have been together since you ran?”

“Yes,” I lie. If she didn’t know he spent the last three years in prison, then there is no need to tell her now.

“Wow!” she says in awe. “You look so different! I didn’t recognize you!”

“That’s the point. I had to change myself so they wouldn’t find me.” I don’t want to talk about me anymore, so I change the subject. “How did you get out? I know you didn’t run.”

She lets out a quiet laugh. “No, I didn’t run. They finally got my medicine right, and it muted the voices in my head. Once I showed progress, they let me go home.”

“That’s good.”

“I guess. I was happy to be out, but I… I didn’t know anyone other than my mother. Since she is dead, it’s just me.” A mournful expression takes over her face. “The past year has been a rough adjustment, but I’m getting there. And now that I know you are in Seattle, maybe we could do lunch sometime?”

I fight the smirk that wants to appear on my face. Although the voices are gone, she is still the same old Eliza. But this time, I don’t mind that she wants to be friends. Having a friendship with Chloe, even if it started off fake, taught me that letting others in is okay.

“Lunch sounds great.” I hand her my phone.

She taps away, entering her number, and then gives it back. “Oh, and Veronica⁠—”

“It’s Camille now,” I interrupt her.

“Okay.” She nods. “You don’t have to worry about me telling anyone. I won’t send you back to that place.”

“Thank you,” I say with sincerity.

“Text me whenever you want to grab lunch! I’ve gotta get going.” She gives me one last smile before heading towards the register.

I stand in the same spot for a moment, feeling good about my decision to tell her. But then my phone dings and pulls me out of my head. Taking it out of my purse, I see it’s a text from Leo.

Be ready by eight.

For what?

My body thrums with nerves as I watch the bubbles pop up, showing me he is typing.

I’m taking you on a date.

The nerves wash away as I read the word “date.” This day seems to be turning around for the better. Eliza was happy to see me, and now Leo is not angry with me anymore. I smile as I type a response.

I’ll be ready.

Good girl. Wear something comfortable and don’t put your contacts in.

Heat rises to my cheeks at his praise, and the warmth travels to my stomach. Sliding my phone back into my purse, I continue to shop for books with a huge smile plastered on my face.

Surprisingly, I ended up buying three books and a puzzle. Seeing Eliza put me in the mood to try one on my own.

For the last couple of hours, I started reading a book, and when my eyes couldn’t take anymore, I struggled with this puzzle. I spread all the pieces on my coffee table, grabbed a glass of wine, and got to work.

The amount of pieces I have put together is laughable. I thought I had chosen an easy picture, but I hadn’t realized I picked up a puzzle of 1,000 pieces. My mind was so high on the thought of this date tonight that I even thought of checking the number of pieces in the puzzle box.

When I saw that number printed on the cardboard when I got home, I got out my wine and poured myself a nice glass because I was going to need it.

Sighing with frustration, I drink the last of my wine and check the time on my phone. Shit. I only have thirty minutes to get ready.

Thankfully, Leo had said to dress comfortably so I don’t have to get all dolled up. No makeup. I don’t have to worry about my hair. Okay, maybe I’ll worry about it a little bit. I still want to look nice for him.