“G, I’m not one to advocate for lying, but this chick is wild. Keeping her in the dark about chauffeur Fritz is the right move. Trust me here.”
Grace rubbed her forehead and sighed, like she was an elderly woman and we were kids trashing her lawn. “Why do I put up with you both?”
“Because you love us. Now enough judging,” I said, picking up a small blue pillow and tossing it at her face. “Help me respond to this email and come up with a better plan. She blew the secret date with Steve yesterday.”
“Easygoing, cute Steve?” Gilly said, causing Christopher to look at us again, and she laughed. “Cute in a ‘I love trees’kinda way. He’s an environmentalist.”
Christopher shook his head and joined Brock on the patio. My chest tightened at how perfect Gilly and Grace’s partners were for them. They understood our friendship, how close we were and how often we needed to see each other even when we talked and texted nonstop. These friendships were the longest and most meaningful relationships I’d had, and while my heart was still bruised from Samantha, I hoped that if I ever did find someone, they would fit in with this group as easily as Brock and Christopher. But it wasn’t likely.
It was a frightening thought to picture Nora here—she’d fuss over the lack of plants or bugs or question what a grill was. The mental image made me laugh, and I focused back on Grace, who moved her fingers over my phone. “Hey, what are you saying?”
“I’m answering. I’m not lying because I think the Carter siblings have had enough of that. But I’m being creative in my answer.”
“Anthony’s answer, you mean,” I clarified.
“Yes.”
Gilly leaned into Grace as they penned what I hoped was the right answer. Her aggressive email was a little worrying from such a petite and naïve heiress, and when Grace was done, I reread the exchange.
From: LeanoraAtwood
To: AnthonyCarter
Dear Anthony,
I hope you’re well as you are a very difficult person to find. I’m sure you remember what happened all those years ago, and there is no need to be embarrassed or anything. I don’t regret covering for you, so I hope you’re not worried about it or avoiding me. I haven’t told a soul, and I never would! But I’ve found myself in a predicament, and I hope to cash in on the favor you assured me had no expiration date. We must meet soon. I insist. I’ve asked your assistant, Fritz, for your information, and he insists you are out of town. If that is the case, we can set up a FaceTalk.
This is important so please, let’s chat soon!
xoxo
Nora
I could practically hear her voice writing this, her light laugh as she wrotexoxo.It was almost cute how she thought I was embarrassed. I wasn’t sure what I expected after her confidence in the truck, but there wasn’t a threat or something substantial there. Like she was trying to be tough and strong but didn’t know how.
“Why does she think this favor is happening?” Grace asked, her furrowed brows making me realize I never told her the history between me and Nora.
“Well, shit,” I said, causing both women to frown. “I wanted to drive her father’s car and broke in, drove it, and crashed it twelve years ago. I was on my last strike, according to my mom. If they’d found out, they would’ve cut me off financially or sent me to some stuffy school abroad. Nora covered for me, and it was a thirty-million-dollar car or something.”
“That’s the underlying threat then.” Gilly nodded as Grace paled.
“Thirtymilliondollars. Good god, the world you live in.”
“Lived in, Grace,” I corrected. “Past tense.”
Her eyes softened, and I made a couple of tweaks to her response. It would work, for now, but it wouldn’t last long.
Dear Leanora,
I’ve heard you’re working at the Carter Foundation. That suits you. I’m afraid I’m unable to meet soon, but I will reach out when I’m able to. I do remember that favor, and I’ve always wondered why you covered for me all those years ago. I haven’t forgotten.
Anthony
I hit send, hoping the brief email was not filled with lies. “There, sent. Why do I keep finding myself in these bizarre situations straight out of a reality TV show? What did I do in my former life for this shit? First Samantha, and now Nora.” I groaned and pulled the end of my hair.
“All the broken hearts you left. This is payback.”
“Wow, thanks, Gil.”
