Page 7 of The Strength Of A Woman

A shiver goes down my spine.

Things don’t look good. Not in the slightest.

I spin around and look at Rory.

“Have you had lunch?”

She shakes her head.

“Good,” I say, pacing back to her. “We’re having lunch together. Just give me a second to put something on.”

2

LEILANI

I spendfive minutes in the walk-in closet selecting something to wear, while she’s patiently waiting in the bedroom.

Eventually, I return, wearing something that is completely unlike me. A nautical-themed, sleeveless top, navy pencil pants, a sweater tied around my shoulders, my hair brushed back, rolling down in large rings, and cute pink flats with a small golden detail.

Surprise glows over my face.

This is something she would wear at any moment of the day.

It’s cute and comfortable.

It’s proper.

Her gaze moves over my face.

I barely put some mascara on my eyelashes and lipstick on my lips.

It’s a nude shade of lip gloss, rather.

“Do you like it?” I ask, amused by her reaction.

“Uh… Yeah. You look different.”

“Different is good right now. Let’s go,” I say, collecting my phone and sliding it into my pocket. “They’re probably waiting for us.”

She rises to her feet and follows me outside.

We walk in silence, my lips no longer carrying the weight of a fake smile.

Concern grows thick in my chest as we move through the house, exit it, and inch closer to the table outside.

It’s a beautiful day, even more stunning than I had imagined. The birds are chirping, and a good feeling rolls over me, but it’s short-lived. As it should be.

Nothing’s changed. All is the same.

I deftly avoid everyone’s eyes, show Rory to a seat next to me, and interact with the server more than I’m willing to do with anyone else.

Sylvia glances at me without interrupting her conversation, while Giorgio eventually invites Flavia to sit at the table.

He pulls the chair for her and watches her as she gingerly claims her seat.

She avoids my eyes, which I find strange but not unusual.

There’s no love lost between us. I never liked her.