Page 15 of More Trouble
“I’m going to miss him so much,” I said at last.
She didn’t say anything, and instead nodded encouragingly. “Who? Your father?”
“My best friend’s boyfriend. He’s…” I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.
“What happened?”
I still didn’t know the full details, so I briefly described the events Scarlett had shared. “I haven’t been in Cali Cross for more than two days in the past six years. She’s going to need me for longer than that.” The realization I might not be heading back to my city life for some time was starting to sink in. “She told me yesterday she’s pregnant.” Telling the truth to a complete stranger seemed crazy. It made everything so much more real, but at the same time, it was somewhat cathartic.
“Oh, my dear. I’m so sorry! What an awful thing to happen to someone so young. I’m sure your friend will appreciate you being there. Will there be other people to support her?”
Scarlett would have her mom, if she wasn’t away on business. I guessed Maddox would be there. And perhaps Andre.
The thought of seeing him again made my stomach churn.
I had to put my past behind me and focus on the future, whatever it looked like.
Finally, I answered, “Yes, she’ll have friends around her. Good friends. We’ve been close since elementary school. There’s a group of us.”
A bell signaled a new customer entering the diner and the waitress jumped up. “I need to take care of them,” she said. “But if you need anything else before you go, you be sure to let me know.”
“I will.” I gave her a small smile. “And thank you.”
She patted my shoulder before walking away. “Anytime, dear, anytime.”
I pulled at the pastry on the croissant and stuffed some into my mouth. It probably tasted delicious, although all I could taste was cardboard. My mouth was dry, and I gulped down the coffee. It was exactly the right strength and I drank more, savoring the taste. I’d have to ask what blend it was. Then I realized Wes was dead and it truly didn’t matter what blend the coffee was.
Just as I was about to head for the road again, my phone rang. I screwed up my eyes, hoping it wasn’t Scarlett checking up on me again. When I opened them, it was Tori’s name on the screen.
“Hey, everything okay?” I asked.
“I wanted to see how you were.”
My shoulders sagged. It was lovely to have people checking up on me. I knew I’d have to be so strong for Scarlett the moment I got back to Cali Cross. “I’ll be fine.”
“You know you can talk to me, Willa. Any time. Day or night. I’ll be here.”
Tears filled my eyes again. Although I hadn’t known her as long as I’d known Scarlett, Tori was as close a friend. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“If you need me to do anything for the business, let me know. I’ll set up your out of office, so don’t even worry about checking any emails.” She paused. “And I’ll let you know how the meeting for the sweet sixteen goes. I know it’s an important one.”
God, it was only a few hours ago I’d happily been browsing YouTube for inspiration. Life had changed dramatically since then. I let out a breath.
“Thanks, Tori. You’re amazing.”
She laughed. “I’m not really, but right now I’ll take it!”
Her comment made me smile, a moment of lightheartedness in amongst the dark. “Seriously, I’ll tell you if I need anything.”
“If you’re sure?”
“I am. Now why are you up at this hour anyway?”
“It’s the one time I get to go for a run. I’m always up at this time.”
“Ugh, exercise.” I made a face, even though Tori couldn’t see me.
“I hope the funeral goes alright.”
