“It’s not a connection, but I need to help him. Just test the stuff, Mel, please. Noah thinks it’s laced.”
“Noah?”
Damn.“Just a guy here.”
“What guy? You never mention guys.”
“Mel,” Lani sighed.
“Spill.”
“He’s nice, all right, really nice, but nothing will come of it and you know why. Now focus, please.”
“Nice as in sexy, or sweet? Have you kissed, or had sex? I mean, this is the kind of stuff best friends talk about, Nutty. I’ve been out in the cold for years. Tell me all.”
Lani laughed. It felt good to talk to her friend.
“The sex was good.”
“What! Did you really, or are you just giving me hope that you’ve actually interacted in a meaningful way with a man?”
“I had sex… twice.” Mel wouldn’t tell anyone, she knew that.
“Twice! You go, girl! Is it serious?”
“How can it be?” She felt a stabbing pain in her chest at the words.
“Oh, Nutty. Have you fallen for this guy?”
Holy crap, had she? No… no, no!
“I don’t think I’m capable of love anymore, Mel. Now can we focus here, please. I don’t like to be on the phone for too long.”
“Okay, okay, but I’m pleased you’ve had contact with people, and sex.”
“How’s Louie?” He was Mel’s boyfriend. He played in a band and was the exact opposite of Mel, but it worked and had for six years.
“He’s great. About to go on a tour, so I’m flying out to meet them halfway.”
“That’s awesome. I’m pleased for him.”
“Maybe I could meet you somewhere?”
“Mel.” Lani sighed again. She’d asked that before. “I can’t drag you into this.”
“But no one needs to see us together.”
“Okay, maybe. Just let me get out of this town first, and I’ll call you again.”
“I didn’t know what had happened to you, Nutty, when you didn’t contact me for so long.”
Guilt sliced through Lani. She often forgot there was someone out there who cared about her. “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.”
“I forgive you, and I haven’t seen him.”
They always called the man who’d forced her into this lifehim.
“I think you should come back, and we’ll plan how to deal with him. You can’t run forever.”
