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“Why haven’t I ever seen your place? I’d like to, you know,” I say out of nowhere. It occurs to me that I haven’t been as good of a friend as she has.
“You will. It’s just easier for me to come to you right now since you don’t have a car and all. My place is farther out of town, and you can’t walk to it. Plus, now you have this place for us to hang.” She looks around the small apartment.
“It’s not much, but I already love it. I think I want to paint it,” I muse.
“Oh, yes. It needs some color! What about a pretty gray?” she says thoughtfully.
I shake my head. “I want something bolder. I just haven’t decided yet.”
“Let me know when you do!Sooo, how did dinner go?”
I look over as she winks at me like a total dork.
Laughing, I say, “It went fine besides the burnt taco shells! I can’t cook at all, and like an idiot, I offered to cookmore oftenfor him!” Charlie bursts out laughing, which makes me laugh, too, but it does nothing to hide the stress in my voice. “And he agreed! I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“Calm down. I love to cook, so I’ll help you. You practically work at a freaking bakery, so I know you havesomeskills.” Her tone is sympathetic.
“You’ll help me learn?” I ask excitedly.
“Of course, girl. What are besties for?”
We talk for hours and come up with ideas for meals I can try. She tells me more about Levi and his hunky behind. I give her my new number and program hers into mine. We polish off two bottles of wine, and I drink way more than her, trying to forget the nightmare and just how fucked my life feels.
The day ends much better than it began, and at this point, that’s all I can ask for. I’m grateful for Charlie’s surprise visits. They always come right when I need them.
Once she’s gone, I tuck myself into bed and fall asleep soon after. It’s a dreamless night, and I know I have the wine to thank for that.
Chapter 29
Myeyesopen,blinkingseveral times as my alarm clock blares. Sitting up, I realize my head still feels a little swimmy after all the wine I had with Charlie last night.
“No regrets,” I say out loud. I push the blanket back and put my feet on the floor. A groan claws itself free as I stretch my arms over my head. I tell myself to get going, hoping a bit of self-encouragement will help.
It doesn’t.
However, I somehow remembered to set my coffee pot before bed last night, andthatgets me going when I hear the stream of coffee hitting the bottom of the pot, the glorious scent meeting my nose. I place my mug in front of the pot and go peek out the front window, looking toward Jack’s house. The lights are all off, I assume I’ll be walking this morning. I’m good with walking, though I’m little disappointed I won’t see him before he picks up his coffee at the café.
Movement across the street catches my attention, and I see someone sitting in a car. I haven’t lived here long enough to know every vehicle, but I know I haven’t noticed anyone else up this early other than Jack and me. It’s still far too dark for me to make out a face from here.
Before I can think much of it, the car starts and pulls away suddenly. My gut gets a weird feeling, like that might be suspicious, but I push it away. After all, I’m a little paranoid at present, so it’s probably nothing. Likely someone I haven’t noticed before.
Going back to the counter, I pour myself a big mug of coffee to take with me while I grab clothes for work. I need to leave a little earlier since I’m walking. After dressing, putting on my coat, and flipping my hood up, I double check my pockets to make sure I have my phone and keys. The Chromebook is tucked into the bag I have on my shoulder. I’m all set, so I step out and lock the door before heading down the stairs.
My mind goes to my mental checklist, reminding myself to ask Irene about printing off what I need. Even thinking of printing out what I found reminds me of the recording Addy sent, and I instinctively spare one more glance over at Jack’s to find it’s still dark.
“Go on, Andrea,” I mumble to myself, but something deep and uneasy stirs in my gut this morning.
Maybe it’s the wine.
Shaking my head free of the anxiety and dread my worries about Christopher are bringing on, I start down the drive toward the road.
The lights closer to town are brighter than at home. When the café is in sight, I see Charlie unlocking the café door. I give her a wave when she looks over. She waits for me, so I pick up my pace.
A cold chill races across my skin as a car passes. I look at the car and then back at Charlie. “Is that the car from this morning?” I mutter, barely a whisper.
“What?” she asks.
I sigh and shake my head. The recording and Addy’s email are messing with me more than I thought today, and even though a lot has happened since then, the nightmare is still fresh, too. I inwardly groan as I shake my head again, pushing the paranoia away.
