Would she accept my help now? Based on the disdain on her face earlier today, I’d say she wanted to stay far away from me. I deserved it.
Tell her the truth.
I scrubbed a hand down my face, wondering if I’d ever resolve this predicament. I’d asked for a chance to explain, but she ignored all my voicemails, text messages, and emails. Would she want to hear my explanation now?
CHAPTER THREE
AVA
Annoyance and worryclung to me as I entered my condo. Why couldn’t I shake him off?
It had been over a year since we broke up. My body shouldn’t have this reaction to him. When he stood close to me, I wanted to fall into his protective arms that used to make me feel safe. Though my body remembered the comfort, I remembered the pain that chopped up my heart.
How had I not known about him and Sierra? I always thought I had good intuition, so what happened? I should’ve sensed something.
Love blinds people.
How could he have been engaged to a crazed woman like Sierra Montage? Last year, she was accused of burning down a woman’s house for dating her ex-boyfriend. She also slashed her ex’s tires while he was at work. Somehow she got away with the crimes. Her family probably paid off people or threatened them. Money talked. Maybe that was what Austin wanted. But then why had he ended the engagement a month after it was announced?
Maybe I needed a few more years to truly expunge him from my body and mind. He was like an illness that lingered and flared up with certain triggers. Today’s trigger was seeing his concern for me. It didn’t seem fake, but it made me angry.
Why care about me when you’ve hurt me so badly?
I hopped into the shower, hoping the warm water would wash the thoughts of him away. I let the steamy water soothe me when the thief popped into my vision. Would the police recover the bracelet in time? I doubted it.
I had to buy another bracelet for my mother, but finances were tight. A pipe burst in my kitchen last month, and my car needed new tires and brakes. These necessities took an enormous chunk of money from my savings. The dream of my little bakery dwindled before my eyes. Maybe this was a sign from the universe telling me to give it up.
Sadness gripped my heart. My dad was a baker, and he worked for a well-known bakery in Shrewsbury. His dream was to open a bakery one day, so he could share his creativity with the community, but he never got that chance. I fell in love with baking because of my dad. Opening a shop was my dream—to explore my creativity and honor him. But now that might not happen.
Sadness swelled in my chest like dough. I had to do something about the situation. I had little left in my savings, but I wanted to get my mom the bracelet.
As an admin assistant for the Department of Public Works for the City of Worcester, I didn’t make a lot of money. But I enjoyed serving the community. The pension the city offered was security for my retirement. I needed to find a part-time job to supplement the bracelet and other emergencies that could pop up.
Some comfy pajamas put me in a better mood. I could look for a part-time job during my lunch break at work. After making chamomile tea, I sat down to watch the news, mostly for the weather.
“Authorities are searching for a man responsible for stealing multiple items from the Solomon Pond Mall today,” said the reporter with red lipstick that matched her shirt. She listed items including my bracelet. Apparently, the same thief stole a pair of diamond earrings and a watch hours after my incident.
How brazen!
“The police believe the suspect has help. If you recognize this man or know anything about this case, please call the number below. The holidays are upon us. Be careful when you do your holiday shopping.”
I prayed they’d catch the thief soon so people could be at ease. The holidays were filled with magic. That magical feeling was like spring when I felt hopeful. I grabbed my phone and sent a text to my group chat.
Ava:Be careful when you shop.
Rhea:I saw the news.
Kendra:What’s wrong with people?
Layla:Lots of things.
Ava:He stole my bracelet.
Rhea:What? The gift for your mom?
Ava:Yeah.
Kendra:I hope he catches a nasty disease.
