My good mood faded quickly when I noticed the Ohio area code flashing on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Ms. Parker. Sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to reach out and let you know that Zach requested a reduced-rate bail hearing, even though I doubt he’ll get it.”
“I’m surprised he has any money at all,” I said, setting down the mug when my hand shook.
“So am I. Unless the guys he’s involved with are helping him, thinking he can pay them back when he’s out.”
“Wouldn’t he just owe them more?”
“Trust me, they know what they’re doing. Your ex is probably at rock bottom and even more desperate. He can’t leave the state, even in the unlikely event he can post bail.”
“Right,” I said, peeking at the doorbell camera screen in the kitchen. I couldn’t see Zach traveling to Brooklyn, knowing I wouldn’t give him anything, but I hadn’t seen Zach almost beating the shit out of me when I’d threatened to call the police either.
“Thanks for the phone call.”
“My sister married a serial gambler. I know how dangerous they can get.”
“I appreciate that. Keep me posted,” I said, hanging up and wishing I could feel as light and carefree as I had when I’d floated through thedoor.
The house alarm was always on, and I knew all the codes. I couldn’t worry about this. I’d be aware and do my best not to be paranoid.
It was hard to enjoy my new life with the specter of my old one always looming. The one where I stayed on the move and clueless as to what was going on around me.
I’d have to tell Lee, but I’d wait until he was back home. Whatever Zach’s intentions were if he got out, he was still in jail and not a current risk. My mind went to the creepy friend who’d stopped by, and I wondered how low they’d go to help him pay them back.
Even with all the assurances from the detective that it was unlikely, I couldn’t help fearing that I’d find out. When I opened the door to leave for school, I came face-to-face with Jimmy and screamed.
“I’m so sorry,” Jimmy said, setting down a large arrangement of roses. “I was just going to leave them on your doorstep. Lee wanted it to be a surprise.”
“A surprise?” I asked, my hand still pressed to my chest as my heart settled back into place.
“He even wrote out a card before he left.” Jimmy smirked and bent to pick the flowers back up. Gorgeous roses of every color were stuffed into a pink crystal vase.
“Did you do this?” I pinched a soft petal between my fingers. “They’re beautiful.”
“I did, and thank you. I figured if Lee wanted to send someone flowers, I needed to bring my A game.”
I laughed as Jimmy’s smile deepened with pride.
“I can set these inside now that I’m here. Two dozen roses with this big vase can get heavy.”
“Come in,” I said, standing aside for Jimmy to step through the door.
“My wife is making muffins and manicotti today, so she’ll probably stop by later.”
Diane always stopped by with food when Lee was away. She’d ask a million questions about his trip, but she was a friendly type of nosy. When she’d told me how “happy Lee seemed” since my arrival, it was hard not to love her.
“She is the best cook. You’re a lucky man, Jimmy.”
“I am.” Jimmy nodded, his eyes flicking to the flowers he’d set on the coffee table. “Looks like Lee found some luck too.”
“It’s…new,” I stammered, not sure what else to say.
“You don’t need to explain. We saw this coming. Or Diane did,” he said with a hearty chuckle. “We’re so happy for him. You’re a nice couple.”
“Thank you,” I said, breathless at the thought of us as a couple.
