Chapter 4
Zoe stood in the midst of her life, packed and sorted into forty-eight moving boxes, and stared at the poster-sized to-do list tacked to the wall of her dining room.
Household goods deliverywas checked off. That was the easy part. Unpacking was the part that sucked. Every move she wondered if it would be easier to sell everything at one assignment and buy new at the next. Definitely not less expensive, but how much was a stress-free life worth nowadays?
“More money than you have.” She clapped her hands, trying to motivate herself. “All right. Everything’s easier with a list. A list is a roadmap to a goal.”
She tore off a blank sheet of self-stick easel paper and stuck it to the wall next to the other list. Grabbing her trusty marker, she wrote down the order of the rooms to be unpacked. Kitchen definitely needed to be first so she could find her wine and shot glasses, then her bedroom so she could sleep in her own bed tonight. She’d washed and vacuum sealed her bedding before she’d left Arizona so all she had to do was unpack it and make her bed. They wouldn’t be dryer fresh, but they’d be damn near close enough.
The doorbell rang as she cut open the first box. She smiled when she saw who was on the other side of the peephole.
Elba wrapped her in a tight hug as soon as she opened the door.
“You’re here. You’re really here.”
Zoe laughed, hugging her back. “Where else would I be?”
“I don’t know.” She let her go and stooped to pick up the cloth grocery bags at her feet, following Zoe into the house. “Somewhere changing your mind?”
“Nope. I’m here. This is happening.”
“Okay.” She closed her eyes, touched her middle fingers and thumbs together as if she was meditating and blew out a breath.
“I got a little nervous this afternoon when they blocked off part of the cafe to knock a huge hole in the wall.”
Zoe’s eyes widened and she grinned. “Shit’s getting real.”
Elba mirrored her grin. “Shit is most definitely getting real.” She squealed and did a little shimmy. “I brought sustenance and wine.”
“Mmm. What did you bring?”
She held out one of the bags. “A light, spring salad and a simple quiche lorraine.”
Zoe took the proffered bag. “Simples, meu traseiro.”
“What’s that mean?”
She smiled. “Simple, my ass.”
Elba gave her another impromptu hug. “Oh, I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too. I can’t believe it’s been almost ten years.” Zoe led the way to the kitchen and set the bags on the counter.
“Do you want to eat first and then help me unpack or start unpacking and then eat?”
Elba looked at her blank wrist. “Oh gosh, would you look at the time?”
“Elba…”
“I’m kidding. Let’s eat while it’s still warm. If I stop in the middle of unpacking, I won’t want to start again.”
Grabbing paper plates and plastic utensils, Zoe cut a slice of quiche. “What’s in the other bag?”
“Lubricant.”
“KY or Castrol?”
Elba threw her head back and laughed. “Margaritas.”
