***
Lucy didn’t leave after Edward escaped. She and Rosa had a stare-off before Lucy approached Elinor’s desk and pulled a chair up.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to formally meet you. You’re Elinor?”
“Yes.” Elinor glanced at the clock in the bottom right corner of her screen. Twelve thirty. Surely, Lucy didn’t plan to stay until the next appointment came. Rosa wouldn’t stand for it.
“How are you liking working here?”
“I love it so far.”
“Even with babysitting clients’ kids and all that?” Lucy grinned. “I’m kidding. Rosa thinks I’m a snob, but I’m proud of what Edward does. That he helps people with their financial planning no matter who they are or how little money they start with.”
“Yes, it’s great.”
Elinor turned to get the forms she’d printed off, folded them, and stuffed them in a pre-addressed envelope.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Lucy asked. “It’s hard to be single in this town. Trust me, I know.”
Elinor hit the print button on the next form. “Um, no boyfriend.” She thought she heard Rosa mutter something in Spanish, but she didn’t dare look over there.
“And where are you living? Please tell me you’re not overpaying for those ratty apartments off of Fifth Street.”
“No, my mother inherited a house from her aunt.”
“Really? Like a fixer upper? I love home reno projects. I’d love to help.”
“Oh, that’s not… necessary.” How could she word this? I’m-living-across-the-street-from-your-fiancé-and-too poor-for-home-renovations-so-thanks-but-no-thanks didn’t exactly roll off the tongue.
Lucy twisted her sparkly engagement ring back and forth before setting her hand down. “What did Rosa tell you about me?” she whispered.
“Not a thing. Why?”
Lucy shrugged. “Oh, it’s just that, I sense her disapproval sometimes, though I’ve always tried to be nice. I was afraid she’d poisoned you against me. I’d like to be your friend, Elinor. I’m sure it’s not easy being new in town.”
“Yeah, sure.” No! Elinor continued to stuff envelopes, feeling like she was stuffing her true feelings inside with the paper. She did not want to be involved in either hating or liking Lucy. Indifference was freedom.
“Excellent. Give me your phone number, and I’ll call you this week. We can get pedicures or something.”
Elinor reluctantly rattled off her number, and Lucy put it in her phone before sending her a text.
“This will be so fun. I love making new friends.”
Elinor tried to make her smile genuine. She used to like making new friends, too. Was her reluctance all because it was Lucy asking, or was there more to it than that? Maybe being friends wouldn’t be so bad. Or maybe Lucy wouldn’t call, and Elinor was stressing for nothing. She wouldn’t add her as a contact unless she called. No harm, no foul.
“See you soon.” Lucy stood and put her purse on her shoulder. She waved goodbye to Rosa, who rolled her eyes in response.
As soon as she left, Rosa threw up her hands. “So, she wants to be friends with you. And why do you think that is, Elinor?”
“I have no idea.”
“Neither do I, but trust me, there’s a reason. She’s the devil sent straight from hell to ruin us all, I tell you.” Rosa glanced back to see if Edward’s door was firmly shut. “I don’t like her.”
Elinor smiled. “I think you’ve made that perfectly clear. But if she’s as awful as you say, why is Edward marrying her?”
“No idea. I understand a lot of things. But this, I don’t understand. Men are fools in love. You watch out for her, okay?”
Elinor nodded. If there was anything she was good at, it was being cautious.
