TWO DAYShad passed, and I was sitting in my office with my feet thrown up on the desk, wondering how long I needed to wait to call Lynx when there was a knock on my door.
“Come in.” I was sure it was either Staci or Jovi. They’d been out front setting up for the night.
When the door didn’t budge, I finally stood the hell up and pulled it open, completely unprepared for the sight in front of me.
“Hey,” Lynx said, standing there in a sheer white T-shirt, jeans, red Chucks, and her hair down and smooth.
Swallowing equal parts lust and surprise, I moved my gaze up from the red triangle bikini top showing through her shirt, and met her eyes. “Hey. You okay?”
We stood there like two strangers, unsure which way to move to let the other one pass. I hated it. I wanted to be close, touching, cemented together.
She nodded. “I was out, and thought I would like to see Chantilly. She’s been on my mind.”
“Come in.” I finally got my head together and beckoned her through the door. “Want something to drink? Eat?”
She shook her head. “No, thanks. Sammy and I were out walking, and I saw a woman go into the Fritz. Dressed to the nines in the middle of the afternoon, big tote on her shoulder, and I knew the score. Made me think of Chantilly, how she’s getting along.” She leaned on the arm of the couch, and I stood guard in front of her.
“Lisa ...” I used Chantilly’s real name and Lynx nodded, letting me know she knew who I meant, “is good. Figuring shit out.”
“She doesn’t have the same number. Do you have the new one?”
“Yeah.” I snagged my phone off the desk. “Let’s call her and go see her.”
“But you’re working.”
“Nothing Staci can’t handle. Plus, I have to go check on the hotel.”
“I haven’t seen it yet, the hotel.”
“One sec.” I held up a finger, my phone to my ear. “Hey, Lisa. How ya doing?”
I listened as she rattled on for a moment about getting her paperwork in order. I’d offered her a job at reception in the hotel.
“Sounds great. Listen, Lynx is here and she wants to see you. Can we swing by?”
Lisa explained she was running out to pick up her daughter, but then would be back home waiting for us.
“Perfect. See you then,” I said, and disconnected the call.
“Come on.” I grabbed Lynx’s hand out of habit. “I’ll show you the hotel, and then we’ll go see Lisa.”
Another small smile formed and then it was gone. Lynx tried to tug her hand from mine when my thumb brushed over a few rough scabs. I stopped dead in my tracks and turned her palm up. Right there, all along the inside of her hand, were small crescent-shaped scars, along with fresher scabs.
“Don’t,” she said sharply in a warning tone.
“Babe.” I brought her hand to my mouth and kissed each scar, every wound, taking my time, keeping a firm grip on her wrist. “We’re going to make it better.”
She didn’t respond, but she didn’t pull her hand away.
“THANK YOU,” Lynx whispered. She leaned her head back against the headrest after we got into my car, still parked in front of Lisa’s house. “She looks good. Thank you for helping her to get out, get a life. Means a lot. I wish I could do it too, for more women.”
Understanding what she meant, I nodded. “She was all I had when you disappeared. I looked after her as much as she looked after me. She worried about you almost as much as I did. Now Asher and I are taking care of her. It’s what we do.”
“What’s with Asher? Does he think he can save the whole world?” Lynx turned her profile to me, the setting sun streaming in the window setting her skin aglow.
“Not the whole world, but he’s got a soft spot for anyone who reminds him of Natalie. Hard life, even harder time getting out of a rough patch, doing shit on her own. He didn’t know this about himself when he helped Lila. He just thought he was a good guy disguised as a bad one, but I guess he does now. He’s touched so many lives.” Amazed, I shook my head. “Listen to me. I’m a regular Oprah.”
I laughed for probably the first time in months, my breath coming easily, not in ragged spurts.
