Page 29 of Chasing Shelter

“The air here smells like heaven.” I inhaled deeply to punctuate the point.

“I got a job.” One that would give me purpose while I figured out my greater one.

“I get a chance to start over.” And that was the greatest gift of all. It wasn’t too late for me. I’d almost gone down the road of living my life for people who hadn’t even come close to earning that gift. But I’d pulled the emergency brake. I’d ended things with Bradley and stood up to my father. And now, I was making a life of my own.

I took in the bed of flowers still blooming on the corner as I turned away from downtown. They wouldn’t last much longer with how cold it was getting at night, but I’d soak in their beauty until it faded, knowing it would return next year. And wasn’t that what I was hoping to do? Become something that could bloom again after what felt like an endless winter?

My phone rang, cutting into my thoughts. I fished in my bag and pulled out the device, frowning as a familiar name flashed across the screen. “Hey, Sarah.”

“Hi, El. How’s the Wild West treating you?”

My assistant from the design firm I’d worked at was the one unapproved friend I’d managed to hold on to. Mostly because Bradley and my father had no say over who I worked with—much to their chagrin. Sarah was hilarious and adorable and marched to the beat of her own drum, no matter how hard our beige office tried to stomp it out of her. And I admired the hell out of her for it.

“It’s good.” Despite the egging, that wasn’t a lie. “It’s peaceful and easy, and they have amazing cupcakes.”

“Better than Magnolia?” Sarah gasped.

I laughed at her shock at my disparaging our favorite bakery. “They are. But nothing compares to Magnolia’s banana pudding. Never fear.”

“Thank God. At least some things are sacred.”

I grinned as I turned onto Lavender Lane. “You gonna tell me why you’re calling in the middle of a workday?”

Sarah was quiet for a moment.

“Are you okay? Did something hap?—?”

“I’m fine,” she said quickly. “I wasn’t sure if I should tell you or not, but Bradley’s mom stopped by.”

My steps stilled. I’d always liked Helen Newbury. While there was a formality to Bradley’s family, just like there was in mine, Helen had a warmth to her. “What did she want?”

My tongue suddenly felt heavy in my mouth. I hadn’t had contact with any of the Newburys since we’d broken up. That wasn’t how it was played in my old circles, especially with the older generation. Emotions and messiness were things they swept under the rug. Even with people you’d known all your life.

“She was here to see Madison about a project at their beach house, but she chatted with me for a little bit. I got the sense she was hoping that what she said would get back to you.”

My hand tightened around the phone as I picked up my pace again. “And that was?”

“That Bradley’s having a hard time.”

A million incredibly inventive curses flew through my head. Ones that would’ve made Trace’s head explode. My face started to throb, and I swore I could still feel the spot where Bradley’s hand had connected with my cheek.

It had only been a slap, open-palmed like something you’d see on a soap opera, but there’d been enough force behind it to leave me nursing a black eye. But the shock and confusion were worse. The fact that someone I’d promised to spend forever with was capable of laying hands on me in anger.

It just went to show how lacking I was in the judgment department. Bradley. My father. Who knew what else?

“You know my opinion on the matter,” Sarah went on when I didn’t say anything. “That tool can weep in his Wheaties for all I care. But I wasn’t sure if she would call you and wanted you to have a heads-up.”

Sarah didn’t know what had happened. No one did. She only knew that I’d ended things with Bradley and was over the moon about that choice.

“You’re a good friend.”

“Sometimes,” she said with a laugh. “I gotta get back to work before Madison sends me another death glare, but let’s catch up this weekend.”

“Sounds good,” I said, catching sight of the lavender house on Lavender Lane. “Don’t let the bitches get you down.”

Sarah giggled. “It was easier when we stood against them together.”

“I believe in you. Battle evil for us both.”

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