Page 16

“Mhm, that’s what I thought.”

“Thank you, Bug.”

Lilah released a forlorn sigh. “I must go. Thank you for holding my hand.”

“Always,” Charlotte said and meant it.

“I love you!”

“I love you more.”

She could imagine her blonde hair draped over one shoulder, hand over her chest, mouth open as she released a playful gasp. Just like she always did.

“I love you most.”

She hung up before Charlotte could retort that wasn’t the case.

Her mood much improved, she got back to work. There was no rest for the weary after all.

“It’s time for us to get out of here,” Imani drawled from where she waited, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and looking ever so pleased with herself. “You have a hot date. I have a hot date.”

Charlotte rose, gathering her things, and moved across the floor, following Imani toward the elevator.

“Know where you’re going yet?”

“She’s picking me up and taking me to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant,” Charlotte replied, checking her phone for any possible texts from Ali, frowning when there were none.

“Picking you up,” Imani commented in disbelief, nudging her with an elbow.

Imani had reason to be curious. Historically, Charlotte picked her dates up for the outings she planned and paid for. Not the other way around. But this wasn’t a real date, so it didn’t count. But she might allow herself the space to enjoy such treatment. At the very least she and Ali might end up good friends.

“Do the words ‘hole-in-the-wall’ frighten you?” Imani asked.

“They really shouldn’t, given the places my mother has dragged me into.”

“Diana’s taste is superb,” Imani mused. “Oh shit. We’re both missing family game night.”

Charlotte’s steps stuttered. She forgot all about her family’s sacred monthly get together. Imani often tagged along as her nearest immediate family member lived five hours away. After sixteen years of friendship, she was an honorary member of the family.

The drive home was easy, and she pulled her black Audi into the drive and looked at the restored and updated multi-level Victorian house in contentment. It wasn’t much to look at before she bought it. But now, it stood picturesque: slate blue with white trim and shutters. The wrap-around porch was one of the features that first captured her attention, but it was the massive yard that sold her.

Her flower beds were flourishing in a colorful display of summer blooms. Charlotte loved gardening. Having the ability to grow things again was the driving factor for moving out of her apartment in the heart of Boston. She pulled into the garage and hurried to the back garden to check on her permaculture vegetable patches. Her cucumbers and squash plants looked a trifle thirsty through the kitchen window that morning. Kicking off her heels, she turned on the water spigot, enjoying the feel of the sun-warmed grass underneath her feet and between her toes.

As she watered the plants, she decided now was as good a time as any to video call her parents. It rang and rang until connecting. She stifled a laugh at the close-up shot of her stepfather’s nose, eyes, and forehead.

“Cricket!” he greeted before turning to call across the house. “Di, Cricket’s trapped inside the phone again!”

Charlotte smiled at his humor. The nickname was coined due to her quiet nature growing up. After her mother introduced them to James two years after their father’s passing, her silence grew until James found a way to make her laugh again.

“How’re you, Charlie?” he asked, affection warming his tone.

He was the only one allowed to call her that.

“Busy. I’m just watering the vegetables before I go upstairs and get ready.”

“For game night?”

Charlotte shook her head.