Her apartment was small. One bedroom. One bathroom. And the tiniest living and kitchen area. But it was what had been available. And it was also in an apartment building, which meant a key was needed to get inside.
It wasn’t that she was expecting someone to come and harass her at her front door…
Oh, who was she kidding? She had no idea what to expect from this town anymore. And Carlos’s little speech last week had just confirmed that nothing was forgiven or forgotten.
She grabbed a granola bar from the kitchen and shoved it into her pocket before stepping into the hall. When she hit the still-dark street outside, because it was too dang early, her mind flicked back to Zane.
“Good morning, Zane. I was wondering if I could ask you a favor?”
No. It wasn’t a favor. It was a job. They were different.
She opened her granola bar and had taken one bite when a text came through on her phone. She assumed it was Noah, because he was the only one who ever texted her.
It wasn’t.
Her jaw dropped, crumbs of granola slipping from her mouth.
Indie: Hey. I’m sorry I couldn’t make our catch-up last week. This pregnancy nausea has been kicking my ass these last few weeks and I really want to be fully present when we see each other. How have you been?
Indie was texting. Her sister, who Bonnie hadn’t had a proper conversation with inyears, was messaging her.
She started responding, then shook her head and deleted it. Then she wrote more words. Again, she deleted them.
Crap, she was nervous. With good reason. Indie was the person she’d hurt the most by leaving, and Bonnie wanted to make things right. She just had to figure out how.
Bonnie: That’s okay. Noah told me about your morning sickness. I’m good. Just figuring out this new job. Are you feeling any better today?
She hit send, swallowing the granola in her mouth.
Indie: I’m currently debating whether ginger tea or death is a better option. But also loving that I’m pregnant. Pregnancy’s weird.
Bonnie grinned.
Bonnie: Once the baby comes, I bet you’ll forget all about the nausea.
Indie: You’re right. But right now, I’m living on dry crackers.
The three dots popped up, then disappeared. And yeah, Bonnie wasn’t sure how to respond either.
Indie: I’m really looking forward to seeing you.
Her belly gave a little kick.
Bonnie: Me too.
She wanted to write more. She wanted to ask Indie when they might meet. Maybe Bonnie could pop over to Indie’s house, or Indie could visit her apartment. But she kind of wanted Indie to initiate it because she wanted her sister to be in control of this reunion.
Indie: I’ve got to go. Colt’s telling me I need to eat breakfast. That man does not like me skipping meals, but then, neither does baby. Chat again soon?
Bonnie: I’d love that.
She shoved her cell back into her pocket. Texting was progress. It was a start.
She looked down at her granola bar, no longer even the tiniest bit hungry.
When she reached The Pit, the lights were on. Good. According to the website, the place wasn’t supposed to open for another ten minutes, which, considering it was still pretty dark, felt far too early for Bonnie.
But she wanted to talk to Zane before getting to the shelter. Shelley had been riding her ass about physical activity for the women.
