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ChapterTen
Ariana remained in place, though Damon’s taillights had disappeared a full minute earlier.
She could hardly believe she’d agreed to his plan, but if it would prove to him there was no curse and they could move on, hopefully it would be worth it. It wasn’t like she could judge him for his worries. She hadn’t been raised by a serial killer who had murdered her mom. The best she could do was try to understand.
If he needed a few days to clear his head and come to his senses, then she could give him that much. Even though the timing was terrible and she needed him — perhaps a little too much. She’d always been so independent, and since getting married they’d grown so close and interdependent. Possibly intermeshed.
Why was he always right? It drove her crazy.
“Are you okay?” asked a voice from behind.
She turned to see Lia. Didn’t want to tell her about Damon’s time away. But she couldn’t avoid it. Not when they were staying in Charles and Lia’s house.
“Damon’s taking some time to clear his head,” Ari said, not wanting to admit how long he was going to be gone.
“I don’t blame him.”
“Yeah, I could use some space to think myself.” She pulled her focus off herself. “How are you doing?”
“Fine.”
Ari lifted a brow. “I was there last night with Rita, remember?”
Lia groaned. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I’m not going to judge.”
“I said, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Okay, but you should make up with Rita.”
“You’re judging me.”
“What?” Ari exclaimed. “I’m not.”
“You’re taking her side again.”
“This isn’t about siding with anyone. You two are my best friends, and I don’t want to see you arguing. Yes, I’m shocked that Rita would see a married man, but it sounds like his relationship was on the rocks too. I know she’d never do that to either of us. And yes, it’s horribly unfair that she got pregnant by him when you and Charles have been trying so hard to have a baby. But she didn’t do it to hurt you.”
“I need to check the laundry.” Lia stormed inside.
Ariana started to call for her friend, but let her go.
Just like Damon.
They both needed time and space to think about things.
Ari also wanted to process everything, but she wanted to talk to someone. And if Lia and Damon weren’t available, then Rita was the obvious choice. If nothing else, they could figure out a way to get Lia to open up.
She couldn’t deal with her friend group breaking up, on top of everything else.
Ari stepped off the sidewalk when an engine sounded.
A police cruiser followed by an unmarked car.
What could they want now?
The cars pulled up to the curb, and both detectives got out of the plain one. Detective Rojas nodded to her but Kamada spoke with the uniformed officers.
