Page 49 of Something Borrowed

“Phew!” Madeline said. “I was going to worry that aliens had taken over your body or something.”

“Honestly, though . . . I wore sneakers the other day, and I was like, dang it, Gwen is onto something.”

“Was it Brent who gave you such generous gifts?”

Vic opened her mouth, but to her horror, instead of the casual “Yeah” she meant to say, she burst into silent tears, salt rivers streaming down her cheeks, flooding her mouth, stealing her words—

Horror and regret swamped Madeline’s features. “Oh, Vic, shit. I’m so sorry. It was too much. I’m—”

“No, no,” Vic managed. “Your question was normal. You’re fine.” She hiccupped, more tears flowing. “I’m just a—” She stopped before the swear word slipped out. “A basket case.”

“No.” Madeline’s voice was firm, almost angry. “No, you’re not, and you need to stop talking badly about yourself so often.”

A wave of hysteria washed over Vic. It was terribly funny, given the vitriol of her usual inner monologues to be scolded for such a light bit of self-derision. A giggle formed in her throat, even though tears were still leaking. She worried that she might burst out laughing—and that if she started, she might not be able to stop.

Madeline took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Whatever it is, you’re going to be okay. You’re doing better every day.”

There was absolutely no way Madeline could know any such thing, but her calm voice and incredible, softly generous acceptance of Vic’s complete effing insanity (even if Madeline was too kind to call it such a thing) had a miraculous effect. Vic did start to calm down. She could literally feel her racing heartbeat begin to slow.

“Despite all evidence to the contrary and this undeniably awkward, uncomfortable moment, I really am doing better. I am.”

Saying it out loud made Vic realize it was true.

Yeah, so only about a billion miles more to go.

“That’s true for all of us, I think,” Madeline said lightly, and Vic realized Devil had spoken out loud too.

And of course, the store decided now was the perfect time to get busy. The bells jingled and a small crowd entered. “You’re still leaving at lunch today?” Madeline asked, glancing toward the door.

Vic nodded. “Is that okay though? If it’s too busy, I’ll happily—”

“No, no. I was going to say, why don’t you take the afternoon? Do something fun. Besides, you worked for hours on your day off.”

Do something fun. Vic imagined herself trailing after Cal, pretending to help. She smiled. It did seem fun.

“Good, then,” Madeline said as if Vic’s face was answer enough, and Vic supposed it was.

She wanted to thank Madeline but didn’t have the words to articulate all she was thankful for yet, so she settled with, “I will tell you my whole sordid story, one day.”

“Well, so long as it’s really sordid.” Madeline winked.

“Oh, don’t worry . . . I’ve got you covered,” Vic fought for the same lightness Madeline conjured, but inside she felt a wobble of fear.

It’s all well and good to think you’re becoming friendy-friends and to toss little ‘Oooo, I have a dark backstory’ hints like your life is some limited series on Netflix, but wait until you tell them, wait until they know the real, pathetic you—

Chapter 26

The kitchen windows were steamy with the beef barley soup Vic was reheating for lunch, along with buns she was warming in the oven, and she put on a playlist called “cozy winter day” while she waited for Cal. The good smell and mellow music, combined with the Christmas lights she’d strung through the house on the weekend, made her feel festive—and she hoped the peaceful ambiance would make Audra calm the frick down and stop pacing and muttering.

Vic loved working at the Second Chance Shop—and that wasn’t an exaggeration—yet it was weirdly fun to be playing hooky.

“Do you want to eat with me or in your sitting room?”

“Well, I’m not eating here with the Wrench Monkey due to arrive any minute.”

“You have to stop calling him that. It’s rude. His name is Cal.”

“He looks like a Wrench Monkey to me. A hairy one.”