Suddenly, anger cut through the concern. “I wish you’d given me a chance. I could have been a great friend, Scarlett.”
No emotion in the other woman’s eyes. None. “I don’t need friends.”
Argh. Why did she bother?
She turned and stormed out of the house before dropping back into the car.
Indie frowned at her. “Are you okay?”
“I shouldn’t let her get to me. Tell me I shouldn’t let her get to me.”
“You shouldn’t let her get to you.”
Why didn’t that help?
Indie pulled onto the road, her gaze continuing to flicker to Clara. “What happened?”
“Nothing. Just Scarlett being Scarlett. She’s so unfriendly.”
“You can’t change a leopard’s spots, Clara. She’s going to be who she is.”
“I know. And I thought I was okay with that because she was quiet and out a lot, but now I don’t know. I just think I deserve more from her. Really, it’s my fault for not asking her to leave sooner.”
“Well, you’ve asked her to leave now.”
She had. And soon, Scarlett would be out of her life.
By the time they arrived at the bar, Clara had calmed down…kind of. Until she saw Holden talking to Briar by the bar.
Great. Just what she needed.
They went to the bar, and Indie ordered a paloma while Clara got a soda water. Not exactly the life of the party, but she was here to catch up with Indie, not to drink.
She waited until they reached a standing table before asking, “So…the divorce papers. Have you opened them?”
Indie groaned. “I’ve tried. I really have. Every morning, I see them. Some days I even pick up the envelope. But so far, I just haven’t been able to.”
“That’s okay. If you need more time, you need more time.”
She looked down at her drink. “I saw Sylvia yesterday.”
It was hard for Clara to not wrinkle her nose at Colt’s mother’s name. “Where?”
“The diner. I didn’t know whether to smile or say hi or pretend I didn’t see her. In the end, she saw me. Came over. Told me I looked tired and asked if I was okay.”
“I really don’t like her.” Colt and Indie had been dating since high school, and at first everything had been fine. But in the last few years, Indie had received nonstop passive-aggressive comments and remarks designed to break her down.
“I don’t like that I put up with her for so long. But not anymore.” She took a big gulp of her drink. “I’m going to ask for more ice in my glass.”
Clara watched her cousin walk to the bar, her heart aching for her. She hated that Indie was hurting. She deserved better. And one day, she’d get better.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket with a text.
Helen: Sorry, I’ve gotten held up. Deb asked me to stop by. Rain check?
Damn. Clara really needed to talk to her. She needed to talk tosomeonefrom the hospital.
Clara: Not a problem.
