Page 106 of Dead Pretty

A lot has changed in that short period of time.

But I know better than anyone how things can change in the blink of an eye.

Nope. Not going anywhere near those bad thoughts today.

Today is a good day, and nothing is going to spoil it. Especially not thoughts of my past.

“You look happy today,” Margaret comments as I stand in the doorway to her office.

“What?”

“Happy,” she repeats. “I said, you look happy.”

“Oh.”

A normal response would be, Don’t I always look happy? But I’m not even going to waste my breath saying something that would be a lie because I don’t usually look happy.

Happy hasn’t been my thing for a long time.

But apparently, I am today.

And I know exactly why.

Jack.

I’m just still not sure if it’s a good idea or right and fair for me to be feeling even a scrap of happiness when others can’t because of me.

“Well, it’s nice to see,” she adds when I don’t respond further.

“I just came to check on what you need me to do today.”

“If you could work on the desk again, that would be a big help.”

I don’t relish the thought of being on reception and checkout, but I also don’t hate the idea as much as I once used to.

Standing at that desk means I will have full view of the library. Where Jack will be sitting.

“No problem. Have you heard anything about Mike?” I ask her.

Her face drops, and I immediately feel bad for bringing it up.

“No,” she says quietly.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” I’m quick to say.

She gives me an unhappy smile. “You didn’t. It’s just the situation as a whole is sad.”

I nod my agreement. “I’m sure everything will be fine,” I tell her, not knowing if it will be and knowing what things can be like when they’re not. “They will find Mike, and everything will get cleared up. Try not to worry.”

“Yes, I’m sure you’re right.” She gives me another forced smile.

“Well … I’ll head over to the main desk,” I tell her.

“Would you mind opening up the doors for me?” she asks before I leave.

“Of course.”

“Let me just get you the keys.”