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Huck, however, looked the same as always except that his permanent scowl had been replaced by a lightness of expression. A man recently freed from jail, I thought. Whatever it had been that tortured him had been pushed aside by Stormi’s love.
Yes, from my vantage point, it looked as if they were giving each other a new lease on life, a lightness that comes from knowing someone always has your back.
I asked about the gallery. Going well, according to Stormi, who then asked if I was coming to their party next weekend. I assured her I would be there.
“You can bring a date,” Stormi said, looking at me from just under her fringe of dark bangs. “Or a pretend date, as the case may be.”
“You know about that?” I asked, sheepish.
“She told me the whole plan. Jamie’s such a ballbuster, right?” Stormi asked. “Like in the best way.”
“I agree,” I said. “We’re going out to dinner tomorrow with my ex and my ex-friend.”
Stormi’s eyes widened, and she laughed. “Jamie told me about that too. I hope the ex suffers a little when she sees you with Jamie.”
I smiled, pleased. “Jamie is so pretty, isn’t she?” She was the prettiest girl I’d ever been around. A beauty fueled by inner strength and intelligence and a sense of humor and passion. She would age well, I thought, because there was more to her attractiveness than her outer appearance. “I just hope I can keep up the charade. I’m not that great an actor.”
Stormi’s green eyes watched me, carefully. “Maybe you won’t need to act that hard?”
I flushed and looked down at my nearly empty cart. These women told one another everything. I needed to remember that. “We’ve been spending time together.”
“And?” Stormi continued to watch me. Would she report back my answer? I should be careful. But I didn’t feel careful the last few days. I felt brave and a little reckless. A loosening of my tightly held heartstrings had begun and seemed to be continuing with every interaction I had with Jamie.
“I’m enjoying my time with her,” I said. “She’s special.”
“What’s changed?” Huck asked. “You were always adamant that you had no interest in getting involved with her.”
“Or anyone,” I said. “But it seems things change.”
Stormi punched me lightly on the shoulder. “Good on you. Be careful with her heart, though. It’s as big as the Colorado sky.”
“I know,” I said. “It’s probably my heart we have to worry about. After my last relationship, I’ve been cautious for a reason. Arianna broke me.”
“Well, now’s the chance to show her how well you’re doing,” Stormi said. “New girlfriend, great job, and awesome friends.”
“I do have awesome friends,” I said, grinning.
“Excuse me. That’s my phone.” Huck lifted his cell phone from his pants pocket. His thick eyebrows shot up. “Sorry, something just came in from the Associated Press.” Huck owned the local newspaper. He didn’t often include stories outside of Emerson Pass, but it seemed that he was still connected to breaking news.
“What’s it say?” Stormi placed a hand on Huck’s arm.
“The judge sentenced Benji Hanes,” Huck said.
It was as if a fist knocked into my middle. I stumbled backward, letting go of my cart. “Tell me.” I wiped my sweaty palms on the back of my jeans.
“Twenty-five years to life,” Huck said, shaking his head. “What a waste of two lives.”
“It’s sad,” Stormi said. “But justice has to come at some point.”
“I hope the victim’s family feels some relief,” I said. But what about Hanes’s family? I was the only one left, the only one who would care at all. Nothing came, though. Not relief or sadness, just a hollow numbness.
“We should pray there won’t be any further violence after the sentencing,” Huck said. “This has been such a tumultuous time for the country. We don’t need more.”
I nodded. Utterly drained, I made an excuse to leave. “I have to go, guys. Good to see you. I don’t want to be late.”
“Have fun,” Stormi said.
“Thanks,” I mumbled before wandering down the aisle, heart pounding between my ears.Twenty-five years to life.
