Page 25 of Love for a Lifetime

“Oh, I love it,” Betty said.

Olivia had become friends with Lyric after she started dating Asa, but she’d known Betty since the diaper days. Olivia’s diaper days, that is. Her mom had been best friends with Asa’s mom, Betty Scott, for as long as the two could remember.

Until Olivia’s mom had a heart attack. After that, Betty took it upon herself to be as much of a mom to Olivia as possible. Truth be told, she was still doing a fantastic job all these years later.

Lyric took a few things from Olivia’s arms, dropping the broach into a blue-tinted vase. “Are y’all ready for supper? I’m starving.”

“Yes, I need food,” Olivia said.

Betty fell into step beside Olivia. “I made shrimp chowder last night if you two want leftovers.”

Olivia hummed deep in her throat. “I love your shrimp chowder. Count me in.”

Lyric gasped and squeezed Olivia’s arm. “Oh, I forgot to tell you! I have an interview tomorrow for a dispatch job at the station.”

“The police station? Are you serious? That’s amazing.”

Lyric and Asa first met a long time ago during a dark time in Lyric’s life. Asa arrested her, then asked the judge to give her another chance.

It had taken more than a second chance, but Lyric found her way out of the darkness and met up with Asa again when she was clean and sober.

Talk about a success story. With the help of some friends, Lyric had made the turn-around of the century.

Lyric’s smile stretched, and little lines crinkled beside her eyes. “I can’t believe they’re even considering hiring me. You know, with my record and all.”

Olivia wrapped an arm around her friend. “I can believe it. You’re not the same person as before, and everyone at the station knows you’ve proven yourself many times over.”

“It still feels like a dream. I’ll get to work with Asa and get to help people. I’m scared to hope–”

“None of that,” Olivia interrupted. “I’ll be praying they see the real you during the interview and you’ll stay calm.”

“Thanks. I could use all the prayers. If I get the job, I’ll have to learn to stay calm in high-stress situations. Nancy already said she’d help me.”

“See? You have lots of people in your corner,” Olivia said. “This will be awesome. I can’t wait to see you whenever I drop off lunch.”

Lyric bumped her shoulder against Olivia’s. “You’re the best. Thanks for always taking care of the department.”

“Their job is important. I just hope I can make things a little sweeter for them every now and then.”

Dawson always made a scene when she stopped by the station, claiming she needed an excuse to see him. She didn’t bring food for the entire police department just because she wanted to see him.

Though, it was definitely a perk. If she could ever catch a glimpse of him before he spotted her, she would see him determined and working hard for a brief moment, and she always got a warm surge of pride seeing her friend being a real-life hero.

Just her friend. And her brother’s best friend. And Anna’s wedding date.

Soon-to-be Anna’s forever date?

“Trust me, Asa appreciates it,” Lyric said. “He always tells me when you drop off goodies for them.” She let out a deep breath and checked her watch. “I wonder if the guys will be home soon.”

“Where are they?” Olivia asked.

Lyric pulled out her phone. “Beau’s garage.”

“I can take some soup over there if they want to stay,” Olivia offered.

“Let me see what they’re doing,” Lyric said as she lifted the phone to her ear. Her eyes widened as she answered. “Hey. That was fast. The phone didn’t even ring.”

Lyric was quiet for a few seconds while they walked before saying, “Yeah, she’s with me.”

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