Shit.
And now Franny was on a roll. "I thought they were gonna cry."
My throat tightened. "What?"
"Yeah. And I told them, 'It's just a bike.' But you'd never know it, looking at their face while the buyer rolled it away." Frannygave the envelope another thrust. "So are you gonna take it or what?"
In the end, I took it – not because I wanted the money, but because I'd done enough damage already. Causing more worry wouldn't help anyone, including Tessa. I also sent Franny and "her gals" to the best restaurant in the building and treated them to dinner on my tab.
I didn't join them.
I couldn't.
With the way I felt, I knew I wouldn't be keeping anything down.
98
Prepare for Landing
Tessa
Standing near the ferry dock, I pulled out my phone to check the time. "It's supposed to start when?"
Maisie smiled. "Any minute now."
Next to her, Griff looked faintly amused and just a little wary.
I looked to him and said, "So I'm guessing you don't like street performances?"
As for myself, I had never seen one, but I was embarrassingly excited to watch one now. Or maybe I just wanted something to chase away the gloom.
I'd lost my bike. I'd lost my heart. And I'd lost Ryder, who for some reason was always there even when he wasn't.
By now, he'd been gone for nearly a month, and I still hadn't forgotten him.
Probably I never would.
Still, I couldn't help but smile as Griff replied, "I'm reserving judgment."
Maisie gave him an elbow to the ribs. "What he really means is that we're glad you joined us."
I almost laughed. "Actually, I'm pretty sure you dragged me. But I'm glad you did."
Under his breath, Griff mumbled, "You say thatnow."When Maisie shot him a warning look, he added, "I mean, yeah, it'll be fun." And yet, the wariness lingered while he and Maisie shared a look.
Watching the two of them, I gave a wistful smile. They really were terrific together. And even ifIcouldn't be happy, seeing Maisie so content was the next greatest thing.
Just then, Maisie's cellphone rang louder than I'd ever heard it. Without checking the screen, she reached into her pocket and held it out in my direction.
I gave the phone a perplexed look. I saw no name, just a number, one I didn't recognize. "So…you wantmeto answer?"
She smiled. "Yeah, because it's for you."
More confused than ever, I took the phone, hit the answer button, and held it to my ear. "Hello?"
On the other end, a familiar female voice said, "I just want you to know, it's okay."
My breath caught.Delaney.I clutched the phone just a little tighter. "What's okay?"
