Page 57 of Recklessly Rogue

Kelly gasps, but Crystal just crosses her arms. “Jealous? OfApril? Seriously?”

“Oh, for sure,” Amber says.

Amber is a little younger than me and a little older than April. Probably right about Crystal’s age.

“I do not want Christopher if that’s what you’re implying,” Crystal says.

“Well, at least you’re smart enough for that,” Amber says. “But no. I’m talking about how you’re jealous of April being brave enough to do what you can’t. Or won’t.”

“Leave my husband?” Crystal scoffs. “Believe it or not, I don’twantto make my husband the subject of scandal and gossip.”

I note that Crystal is pressing her arms against her stomach and won’t meet Amber’s gaze directly.

“I’m not talking about leaving Luke,” Amber says. “Though no one would blame you.”

Kelly gasps again. Crystal doesn’t say anything.

“I’m talking about April being able to stand up for herself and make herself happy. I’m not saying you have to leave Luke for that. That’s up to you. But everyone knows you’re not happy, Crystal. It’s why you’re so mean and judgey. Happy people don’t worry about other people’s lives so much. They want to spendtheir time and energy in theirownlives.” Amber finally looks at April. “I’m sorry that you had to leave your husband to be happy. Obviously, at one point you thought you could be happy with him and I’m sorry that’s not how it turned out. That’s hard. But I’m glad you realize that you deserve to be happy and don’t have to stay in a situation where that’s not the case.”

April gives her a wobbly smile. “Thank you, Amber.”

“Also, your highlights look amazing.”

April’s smile grows. “Thanks.”

Amber looks at Crystal again. “I really hope you find something that makes you happy, Crystal. Because I really don’t believe that walking up to people in the grocery store and berating them for their life choices is it. But, if it is…just know that there are lots of people who aren’t going to just stand by and let it happen.”

Crystal sucks in a deep breath, but she doesn’t say anything.

Amber looks over at me and gives me a smile. “Hey, Ruby.”

“Hey, rockstar.”

She laughs. “Good to see you. Come down for a mani soon, ‘k?”

“For sure.”

She walks off, her little basket swinging and I feel a tightness in my chest.

I’ll misshertoo. I don’t know her very well, but I want to. She seems awesome, andfuck,it would be nice to have a kickass friend like that.

I love taking care of people, but damn, having someone else sashay up like that and just handle shit is amazing.

It’s a lot like how I feel when Henry shows up and takes over.

I know that’s not independent thinking and I don’t want toneeda man, but I can like it when it happens, can’t I? That’s not too terrible, is it?

April takes hold of the cart again. “’Bye, Crystal,” she says, firmly, obviously ending the conversation.

If you can even call what just happened a conversation.

She pushes the cart around the other two women and this time they don’t block our attempt to leave.

We leave the produce section and head for the checkouts.

April keeps walking straight ahead, but she says, “I didn’t get all the salad ingredients.” She blows out a breath. “And I really don’t want to go back there.”

I laugh. “Same.”

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