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“I bet you’d look beautiful in anything you put on,” Jay whispers in my ear, his right hand gripping my hip. “We should get going soon. We have plans tonight.”
“Do these plans involve clothes?” I ask, my voice taking on a seductive tone I didn’t realize I possessed.
What is happening to me? Who is this bold person taking control of my personality tonight?
“Clothing can be optional, but I guarantee I won’t be able to focus on anything other than the taste of your skin if you’re naked.”
The thought alone causes a shiver to run up my spine. I’m fairly certain Jay’s tongue possesses magical powers.
“If I have to wear clothes, I’m guessing you want to work on the profile.” It’s more of a statement than a question. We spent the afternoon fooling around, literally, and not working like we should have been.
What we did instead was more fun, though.
“Our time is running out.” It’s a simple statement but I also hear his concern laced in every word.
To build a profile.
To figure out who may have killed Sam.
To fit together the last remaining pieces of the puzzles.
Our time is running out to solve the case before it’s closed.
What I really heard him say is, “We’re running out of time together.”
Mia manages to clear the table on her next turn, and victory goes to the ladies. Jay settles the tab with Mindi while Spencer gives Mia her money back from their side bet, both leaving with the same amount they came with. I call it a win-win. However, I can see the disappointment in both their eyes.
They’ve always challenged each other and gone back and forth. It’s always seemed natural. Right now, as we say good-bye to our friends and part ways, I can feel the tension between them. Either things aren’t as perfect as they appear, or the stress of this weekend is finally getting to them.
I can’t imagine what they went through every day for the last five years. Waiting for answers. Staring out your front window, a perfect view of the park where your friend was murdered. A constant reminder of what happened always in sight.
“Do you think they’re okay?” I ask Jay as we cross the street, heading down State Street toward the Hideaway, my home away from home for a few more days.
“I think Spencer is stressed out, and Mia needs closure more than any of us. I think they’ve been living this nightmare every day for the last five years, and as much as they want to run away from it the way we did, they can’t. They’ve put down roots here. They’re building their life here.”
“Why here, though? I know Mia’s family is here but that’s not a reason to stay. She could always come visit.”
“Mia won’t leave Summer.”
The mention of Sam’s mom brings tears to my eyes. I was like a second daughter to her. She treated me as one of her own. I spent holidays with Sam and Summer instead of flying back to California.
And I up and left her. Because I was hurting. Not giving any thought to the fact that she not only lost her daughter, her reason for breathing, but she would also lose me. I was selfish in my escape. I thought I needed to handle how I was feeling on my own. I didn’t want people to see me break.
A fresh start was all that was on my mind. Somewhere far from here. Away from the devastation I saw on everyone’s faces. I couldn’t handle the weight that was bearing down on me. The guilt and the sadness were overwhelming, and I believed running was my only escape from the pain.
I see now how wrong I was. The only people who will ever be able to help me heal, to help me move on, are the ones who bear the same pain I did. We all lost Sam. I wasn’t the only one hurting, yet I selfishly pushed everyone away. I left them to deal with the aftermath of her death. Disappeared for years. Stopped taking calls. Ignored their attempts to contact me.
Taking a deep, cleansing breath as we walk up the porch steps of the Hideaway, I make a vow. I’ve already promised Sam I would find who did this to her, but I want to amend that statement.
I will find who did this to Sam but I’m not going to do it for her, or even for me, I’m going to do it for Summer. For the woman who lost both her daughters and still found a way to go on. To survive when the darkness could have easily swallowed her up.
For our friends who have spent the last five years reliving the pain of that day. Who have dedicated their life to keeping Sam’s memory alive.
I’m going to find who did this for everyone who knew and loved Sam.
