Page 44 of Word to the Wise

It’s already nine-thirty, and my last appointment ended thirty minutes ago, so I’m ready to get out of here.

Reed follows me to the front of the shop. And even if she’s been spending more time down here, she doesn’t come and go alone. She makes sure she’s always with someone, and that at least puts me at ease.

“Later, guys.” Echo pops a bubble and smiles at us from behind the front counter.

She’s balancing the money in the register and closing the daily books. For the longest time, her hair was half black and half blonde, straight down the middle. But a week ago, she went and had it bleached, so she’s even brighter than usual.

“Bye, Echo.” Reed waves.

I hold the door open for her and lock it behind us since no one else should be coming or going tonight. Reed is quiet as we make our way along the front of the shop, and I love how close she walks to me, so I can almost feel her body heat radiating off her.

“What’s that?” she asks when we’re approaching the gate that leads to the apartment.

Sitting on the ground is a bouquet of flowers, and I immediately get a bad feeling.

Reaching down, I pick them up. “No note.”

Reed’s pause tells me that doesn’t matter. We both know who these are from as her eyes gloss over. She’s staring down at them as her shoulders start to shake.

“Daisies.” It’s a whisper carried away with the city noise. “Carter.”

I toss them in the trash on the street and am tempted to light them on fire. Turning back to Reed, her arms are wrapped around her chest, and she’s shaking, so I hurry to get her upstairs.

Carter is going to get what’s coming to him. And I’m going to be the one to do it.

14

Reed

I skim my fingersdown the front of the sparkly red dress. It matches my lipstick perfectly.

My hair is freshly dyed with subtle lowlights, and my skin is glowing.

The door to the bedroom opens, and I turn to find Carter leaning against the frame, grinning at me.

“Stunning, baby.” His eyes skim me over, and I bathe in his appreciation.

He’s been working so much lately, I barely see him, so I wanted to make myself look extra nice for his fundraiser this evening.

Carter lifts off the doorframe, and a piece of his dark hair falls over his forehead. His dress shirt is unbuttoned, showing off his solid chest. He’s been distant lately, but the way he stalks toward me now makes this dress worth every cent.

When he reaches me, he pulls something out from behind his back.

I look down at the daisy and fight the tears that immediately well up. He used to bring them to me all the time when we first started dating. I joked that daisies weren’tthat special, but they were pretty, and he said he’d find a way to make them special for me.

He’d bring me a bouquet every week until that slowly tapered off.

As I take the daisy from him, it all floods back. The reason I’m fighting for us. The man he is when he tries to be.

Carter cups my face in his hands and pulls me to him. His lips sink to mine, and I search for that rush I used to get. It’s faded these past couple of years with the struggles we’ve been through. But I want it.

I need it.

When he pulls back, he’s grinning.

“You like the dress then?”

Carter gently kisses me on the forehead. “You’d look stunning in anything.”