She was mine then and she’ll be mine again.
“I’m just here to ask a favor,” I say to the angry friend. For the life of me I can’t remember her name.
“Go fuck yourself! Kristine owes you nothing,” the friend spits out.
“I didn’t say she owed me anything. It’s for my mom.”
Kristine shushes her friend. “What about Liza?”
“Can you please not hold what happened between us against her? She’s been really looking forward to tomorrow.” Kristine drops her eyes back to the floor, her shoulders sagging. “Just … please, after the signing you can go back to hating me.”
She laughs bitterly. “I’m not a monster like you. I’ve committed to helping her and I will.” She turns away from me. “I’m nothing like you,” she says as if she’s trying to convince herself.
She’s so much better than me. She helped me get Andrea back and now she’s helping Mom. All I ever do is cause her pain.
I close the door behind me but watch through the window as she walks to the back, her friend comforting her. At least she’s not alone.
I need to talk to Justin. I need to know what he did differently that Riza’s not scared of him.
~*~
Chapter Thirty Two
Kristine~
I get up with a heavy feeling. Another night of tossing and turning.
Kelly went home at around twelve, after I begged her to. Riza never came back, but she did call to let us know she’s okay.
I don’t know if Garrett is coming today and I don’t know how to react if he does.
I go through my morning routine, showering, brushing teeth, drinking tons of coffee. I dry my hair and put on a pair of jeans and plain black shirt. I’m in a dark mood and my clothes show it.
I hesitate before unlocking the door and turning the sign to show that it’s open. I try to keep busy, unpacking the books and making sure everything is ready.
The bell rings, almost giving me heart failure. “Morning, hon. Did you have a nice day yesterday?”
I can’t make eye contact with Liza. If she ever finds out what I let her son do to me it will kill her. There’s been enough hurt to last us all a lifetime.
“Hon?” She places her hand on my arm, looking worried. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, of course. I just need more coffee,” I laugh her worry away. Kelly comes in saving me from having to think of something to say. “Oh, hey.” I turn to Liza. “Let me introduce you. This is one of my best friends, Kelly.” I give Kelly a hard look, hoping she won’t say anything. “Kelly, this is Liza Macht.” I wonder if that’s Garrett’s last name or if Liza is writing under a different name.
To my great relief Kelly behaves and shakes Liza’s hand.
“I’m going to make sure the coffee machine is ready for when the bakery delivers the muffins. Kelly, are you sure about manning the counter for me?”
“Of course. My butt is glued to that chair.” To show me how serious she is she goes and sits behind the counter.
I look to Liza, not sure what to do with her. She goes to sit behind the table and laughs, “My butt will be glued here. Just say if you need anything.”
“I will.” I go to check the machine and double check that there are enough cups. I have a little reading nook in the back with a couch. People don’t use it much, but it’s perfect for me.
I hear voices as I walk to the front and feel my heart thud when Garrett’s voice is one of them. He has his back turned to me, busy taking the tray of muffins from the delivery guy. He turns around and freezes when he sees me. Justin and Riza come in just as the delivery guy leaves, followed by a customer.
I walk right past Garrett so I can help the customer. “Oh, don’t bother with her, that’s my daughter, Andrea,” Liza says just as I get to the girl.
Bright brown eyes meet mine and recognition sparks in them. “It’s nice to meet you,” she says in a sweet voice and then she hugs me. I’m so shocked to see how good she looks I forget to hug her back.
Liza laughs next to us, oblivious to the connection I have to her daughter. “You’ve met my sons?” she asks unsure.
I nod. “We’ve met.” I take a step away from Andrea and feel panic rising fast. There have never been so many people in my store at once and there are more coming. I turn around and almost bump into Garrett. I grab the tray of muffins from him. “I’ll take it,” I mutter under my breath and flee to the back of the store.
I place the tray on the side table and start to rearrange the muffins. A hand closes over mine. “You’re going to be okay. You’re doing great.”