Lost in thought, I follow Anna. This market is a mix of a traditional farmers’ market and a craft fair, with lots of vendors selling everything from homemade bread to jewelry to soap to goat’s milk lotion. We peruse a few booths and make a few purchases before she tells me she’s starving.
There are also restaurants inside, so I point to my favorite. “Do you want to get some pizza?”
She hooks her arm in mine once again. “Yes, I absolutely want pizza. Come on.”
After we order and are waiting for our food at a small table, Anna asks, “So you want to tell me about your attorney?”
My stomach twists for multiple reasons. She and I haven’t discussed the realities of my situation, though she no doubt figured it out when I called her from the police station. “What about him?” I take a sip of my soda.
Her expression slips into one of worry. “Well, I guess, for starters, do you really need one?”
I press my lips together and close my eyes for a moment. I’ve done everything to pretend like this possibility isn’t there. Like it’s just a bad dream. Telling myself there’s no way I could be charged with Blake’s murder. But it’s there. Hovering over me and suffocating.
I open my eyes. “It’s just as a precaution. I was questioned for obvious reasons, so I got an attorney.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Her eyes rove over my face, and I know what she’s going to say next. “You did a good job covering that at work.”
I probably should’ve made sure all my bruises were completely covered again, but wearing that heavy makeup for so many days in a row would’ve wrecked my skin. So, I opted for lighter coverage, knowing they’d be somewhat visible.
I reach over and grip my friend’s hand. “It’s all going to be okay, Anna. I promise.”
She doesn’t look convinced. “Is that what your attorney told you?”
Taking a moment to think back to all our conversations, I’m not sure if he’s told me that or not. Maybe it’s just the feeling I get in his presence, like nothing could go wrong with him fighting for me.
“Chris is a good attorney. I feel very confident in whatever happens, that he’ll make sure the outcome is the least impactful to me.”
Her smile is slow and conspiratorial. “It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s hot as fuck.”
Heads turn our way at the laugh that pops out of me at her unexpected comment. One thing Anna is always good at is keeping things light, even though I know she feels things more deeply than most.
My returning smile is refreshing. “I can’t argue with you there.”
Squeezing my hand back, she catches my attention. “I know from what you’ve told me in the past that things weren’t great between you and Blake for a long while.” She gestures to my face with a lift of her chin. “I hate with everyfiber of my being that it was that bad. I’d like to hope that whenever that happened was the first time, but I’m not naive enough to think that’s the case. Plus, I’ve suspected in the past, but never wanted to upset you by asking.” Her hold on me tightens. “You’re one of the best bosses and, quite frankly, friends, I’ve ever had. And if that’s what he did to you, then fuck Blake. I hope he rots in hell. You deserve way better.”
Tears that I haven’t allowed myself to shed in a few days gather in my eyes. Her heartfelt sentiments mean more to me than I could express in words.
Our numbers are called, and she jumps up. “I’ll go get our food. Let’s have a good rest of the day and forget all this bullshit.”
With a watery smile, I reply, “That sounds like a perfect day.”
Shopping and laughing with Anna was exactly what I needed. We didn’t talk any more about the state of my life, with the exception of a few jokes about how attractive Chris is. I deflect those comments since I’m not ready to get into anything regarding my feelings toward him. Maybe if I don’t acknowledge them out loud, they won’t be real, or they’ll go away eventually.
As she’s walking me to my car, she says, “I want you to know that I’m here for you no matter what, Lily. I know you’re used to taking care of things yourself, but just know that you have someone to lean on if you need it.”
The tears return, and I sniff back my emotions. “Thank you, Anna. I’m incredibly lucky to have you.”
I give her a hug, and she leaves me to go to her own car. Once I’m seated inside, I allow a few tears to fall, needing to let them out. It’s like a pressure cooker, simmering until the steam gets too much and it has to be let out.
Better to do it now than in front of Chris.
When I finally get myself together, I send a text to Chris, telling him I’m leaving the farmers’ market and sending him my grocery list. Almost immediately, my phone alerts me to a text.
Chris: Got it. Let me know if you think of anything else. I’ll see you back at my condo in a bit.
My heart skips a beat. There isn’t anything special in that text. But there’s just something about Chris that confuses and intrigues me. He seems kind of like a grumpy asshole, but everything he’s done for me says otherwise.
My phone vibrates again.
