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He nods, expression thoughtful, “I have to talk to the boss first. Would you like to speak to him? I’m sure he could-”

“No,” I snap, “I have no interest in speaking to him.”

Rafael looks so confused right now.

“Okay. I still need to call boss, ma’am.”

I nod, turning away when he reaches for his phone. I place my arms over my stomach, hugging myself, seeking some measure of comfort. Rafael walks away to talk to Damien. I hear some of the conversation. But only on Rafael’s part.

“She seems really upset, boss,” he says over the phone, scratching the back of his neck.

“Yes, sir,” he says in reply to some question. “She seemed pretty insistent on going to her friend’s house. And she’s refusing to speak to you.”

There’s a long pause and a part of me is scared he’ll insist on Rafael bringing me back.

Understood, sir,” Rafael says before hanging up.

I turn back to look at him as he walks back to me.

“What did he say?” I question.

“He told me to do whatever you wanted, ma’am. I’ll take you to Ms. Maxine’s house now.”

I exhale a breath of relief, “Thank you.”

He calls for the driver to bring the car closer. As soon as I step in, I take some solace in the quiet and the fact that I’m heading over the see my best friends.

As expected, Chloe’s with Maxine when I arrive. The three of us used to spend an inordinate amount of time in Maxine’s house before my life flipped over. The two of them are my sisters, and I’ve missed them like crazy.

Maxine opens the door with a wide grin, which fades as soon as she sees the expression on my face.

“What did he do?” she immediately questions.

I offer her a small watery smile, “Can you let Rafael in to do a sweep of the house first before I enter?”

She frowns, “Do I have to?”

“No, but let’s not be difficult today, okay? I’m exhausted.”

“Fine,” she says, opening the door wider so the man behind me can walk in.

Maxine and I stand by the door while he goes to do his thing. Chloe eventually joins us, giving me a big hug which I really needed.

“You look rough, Cass,” she whispers softly in my ear.

“I feel rough.”

When Rafael finishes his sweep, he offers me a short nod before stepping out of the house. The girls and I walk into the living room and I don’t hesitate to collapse into the couch. Chloe sits beside me, while Maxine takes the chair opposite us, her gaze critical, assessing.

I turn to Chloe who has a sad smile on her face as she rubs my back. She’s wearing an apron with hearts on it.

“What were you cooking?” I ask her.

“Baking actually. I made cookies. They’ll be ready soon,” she informs me.

As soon as she says that, the scent of delicious baked goods fills the air. I hadn’t noticed it earlier.

“Yeah, I definitely deserve a cookie,” I state.