Bonnie grinned. “Thanks.”
She’d finally have a car. Thank God. Because she was sick of getting around everywhere on foot. Don’t get her wrong, she was glad her apartment was so central, but a car would be easier, especially when she was staying late at work so much.
As the guy disappeared into the house, she ran her fingertips over the hood. The test drive had been so smooth, and she’d paid a mechanic to have it checked while she was at work this afternoon.
She’d come here straight from work because the thing had only popped up on Facebook Marketplace this morning.
She pulled her phone from her pocket, a little of her excitement fading at the empty screen. No response from Indie. They’d been texting every day, and this morning, Bonnie had finally mustered the courage to invite Indie over. But her sister hadn’t responded. It was the first text that she hadn’t received an immediate response to.
The door to the house opened, and Bonnie shoved her cell back into her pocket.
She looked up and smiled. “Hi.”
The woman stopped a few feet out the door, a frown cutting between her brows. “I know you.”
Shit. The tone of her voice told Bonnie that wasnota good thing. “I’m Bonnie.”
“Yeah. You’re that Hayes girl who left Dean White at the party, even though you were his ride.”
Her belly rolled.
“What are you talking about, Magna?” her husband asked.
The woman glared at Bonnie. “Dean, Billy’s friend. Crashed that car the night of the graduation party becausesheleft him there. She was supposed to drive him home.”
Bonnie swallowed. “Look, I’m just here to buy a car.”
The woman crossed her arms. “Price is eighty thousand.”
Bonnie’s eyes bulged out of her head. “That’s three times the listed price.” Hell, they were less than forty thousand brand new. She could buy two of them for that price and have change.
“Decided I want more. Eighty thousand. Take it or leave it.”
Bonnie looked at the guy beside her. But even though he seemed shocked, he clearly wasn’t about to jump in and save her. She turned back to the woman. “Come on, that’s not fair.”
“No? What’s not fair is that Jane, one of my best friends, had to bury her son thirteen years ago because the kid’s girlfriend couldn’t be bothered to take him home.”
Bonnie shook her head. She was wasting her time. “I’m leaving.”
“Good. Don’t come back.”
Bonnie stormed down the street, hating the angry tears that gathered in her eyes. She shouldn’t care that Jane and Carlos had told everyone Dean’s death was her fault. Once upon a time, she’d thought that too. It wasn’t true. She knew that now. It should be enough.
But God, she should also be able to buy a car without being made to pay a guilt tax.
A tear fell down her cheek and she swiped it away.
No. She was not going to cry. They didn’t deserve her tears. Not that woman. Not the Whites. Not anyone.
What she needed was a dirty chai from The Tea House and a long walk.
She turned onto the next street, only to groan. Because there, only a few yards away stepping out of a shop, was Carlos White.
Good God, could this day get any worse?
Quickly, she crossed the street, not in the mood for another confrontation.
“Hey.”
