“Hi. I’m looking for Patrick Cross. He said he’d leave a key here for me.”
She beams me a bright smile. “You must be Cassie.”
“That’s me.”
“He talks about you alot.”
I laugh. “I hope not.”
She plucks a key ring off a pile of papers and hands it to me.
“Thank you.”
I turn to leave. A door clicks open behind me.
“Cassie.”
I smile at Patrick’s voice.
Turning back, I meet his gaze. “I thought you had an afternoon of appointments?”
“I do, but everything’s running late today. But once I’m done, I’m all yours.”
He kisses me tenderly on the lips. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too. I’ll get going and let you get back to work.”
He nods. “I won’t be late.”
“I’ll head to the supermarket first and grab something to cook for dinner.”
His smile widens. “I’m looking forward to a home-cooked meal.”
I peck him on the lips and walk away. “See you later.”
Patrick won’t be home for a few hours, so I have time to walk through a mall and see what I can find before heading to the supermarket. It’s been a long time since I had time to myself and been somewhere I can shop up a storm. I’m notbig on shopping, but I could do with some new clothes and things before the move. I’m making the most of having a clear out before we ship our things to Auckland.
I’ve been walking for about fifteen minutes when I’m sure I hear my name being called.
I look around, but no one seems familiar.
This is weird. I go back to looking at a dress in the doorway of a store when a hand brushes my arm.
“Cassie? Cassie Warren?”
Okay, that’s weird.
My heart sinks as I turn around. “Vicki?”
She holds up her palms. “I’m probably the last person you’d ever want to see. But I’ve been trying to track you down for ages. We need to talk.”
“I don’t think I have anything to talk to you about.”
In the years I knew Vicki, she was confident—full of herself.
This version looks unsure of herself. She reminds me of me back then.
“Please. I’ll buy you a coffee?”
