Page 70 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ivy
Around noon, I get some free time, so I send texts to Julie and Yuna to let them know I’d love to get together with them for lunch or dinner on Saturday. I owe Julie one for taking care of me after I became a mess, and I want her and Yuna to become friendlier before my wedding.
I dump my phone into my purse and stand up, slinging it over my shoulder.
“Hey, mind if I join you for lunch?” Rhonda asks.
“Sure.” I wait for her to put her computer to sleep. “Don’t you usually brown-bag it?”
“I do, but I overslept this morning.” She flushes, her eyes sparkling.
“I know that look. Somebody Netflixed and chilled last night.”
“Yeah. This new guy. He’s a single dad with a daughter. Same age as mine. They get along real well, too.”
“I’m glad.”
Rhonda had a pretty tough life before joining the foundation. I’m thrilled she’s found somebody.
Bobbi sees us from her seat in the vestibule and joins us.
“Yeah, he’s a real sweetie. I’m excited about the possibilities.” Rhonda beams at Bobbi. “Hey there.”
“Hey,” Bobbi says, then turns to me. “Sorry about Marty.”
“Don’t worry about it. When you gotta go, you gotta go. Nothing happened.” Thanks to Tolyan. I make a mental note to bring more milk chocolate. And maybe talk to Tony about getting a restraining order on Marty. He’s turning into a pest, and I don’t want him popping up again at work—or anywhere—trying to intimidate me. I doubt he’d actually hit me, but he looked a bit too desperate earlier.
Our elevator opens, and we walk in together. Rhonda says, “Relatives can be difficult. And death brings out the worst in people. They all want a bigger slice of the pie, if you know what I mean.” She puts a hand on my arm. “Don’t let him bully you like that. And if your uncle gave you anything, don’t give it back. If his dad gave it to you, obviously he wanted you to have it. It doesn’t sound like he got nothing, either.”
“He probably got everything, since he’s the only child,” I say. Well, except for the music box, but there’s no way he’d want that old junk. He called his grandmother a bitch anyway.
“Ha! Greed! Told you. Brings out the worst in people!”
We spill out of the elevator into the lobby, then onto the street.
“What do you think is good?” Rhonda asks, looking up and down. “Maybe sandwiches?”
“That sounds great. Simple and easy,” I say.
“Then let’s try Galore III. Have you been?”
Bobbi nods.
“No,” I say. “I’ve heard about it, though.”
“You’re in for a treat. The place has the best sandwiches. Worth every penny.”
We start walking. The weather’s getting hot, the sun strong and prickly over my skin.
Rhonda sidles closer. “So tell me about your wedding!”
A grin splits my face. “Six weeks from this coming Saturday. I’m just not sure if we can find a decent venue for the ceremony, though.”
“You will. You’ll find the perfect place just in time.” She looks at my left hand. “Your man gave you such a classy ring.”
I flush with pleasure. “He did. It’s perfect.” Non-traditional but timeless. Just like our relationship. I bring my hand up so Rhonda can see it better.
