Page 65 of A Little Light

“I…won’t. I shouldn’t.” Rachel smiled, but Andi knew it was false. She would know Rachel’s genuine bright smile anywhere, and that was not it. “I’ve just had a call, and there are some things I need to take care of.”

“O-oh.” Andi got to her feet and blocked Sally’s view of Rachel. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No. It’s okay. But…I hope I’ll see you at some point soon.” Rachel kissed Andi’s cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Andi pulled back. What was Rachel apologising for? “Rachel, talk to me. Please.”

“It’s just…this is what my life is like. Always being judged. Always having to listen to someone’s opinion of me. I know you don’t feel the same way as those people, but I don’t want to sit here and listen to it.”

Andi hung her head, her shoulders slumped. She should have thought about this before she brought Rachel here. “Then I’m sorry. I should have been more sensitive to the situation.”

“Look,” Rachel spoke quietly as she took Andi’s hand. “Whatever happens here today, I understand. If you talk this through with Sally, and she convinces you that I’m not right for you, then I understand. All I ask is that you go home and consider it all before you break things off with me. That you sit and wonder if the time we’ve spent together recently is something that felt false or forced. Just…make the right decisions for you, Andi. I’ll respect whatever that is.”

Andi opened her mouth to speak, but Rachel turned and walked away.

She wanted to go after her, but she also wanted to put this to bed once and for all with Sally. She wouldn’t allow it to become something that hung over them. No way.

Andi turned back and returned to her seat. Why did she suddenly feel so emotional? Why did she feel as though she was going to burst into tears if she dared open her mouth?

“I take it she had a client or something?”

Andi lifted her eyes to Sally, wondering when her best friend became this person. “She left because she knows what you think of her.”

“Oh, well. That saved us an awkward conversation.” Sally reached for her cappuccino and offered a little shrug. “So, now I will ask… What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I’m sorry?” Andi’s brows drew together.

“Have you been paying her all this time? Just to be with you?”

Wow. Andi couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “I haven’t paid Rachel a penny for her time.”

“Oh, give me a break.” Sally laughed and shook her head. “You’re telling me you two just met, hit it off, and now you’re strolling hand in hand with one another?”

“Hang on. Before you knew Rachel was an escort, that’s exactly what you believed. Why the change of heart? Why, all of a sudden, do you find that so unbelievable?” Andi’s brows drew together. And then the realisation hit her. “Are you…implying that I couldn’t interest someone like Rachel?”

“Are you having some kind of midlife crisis, Andi? Is that what this is?”

“Answer my question. And just remember that depending on your answer…we may no longer be friends after today.”

“Excuse me? You would choose her over your friends?” The sheer look of disgust from Sally had Andi’s heart pounding. Sally had always been protective, but this? No, this was something very new.

“I’m not choosing anyone. Why should I have to choose? You’ve been my best friend for so long, Sal. But I don’t know why you’re behaving this way. You know Rachel. You spent time with her at the party. Don’t let your opinion on something you know nothing about overshadow what you initially thought of her. Please.”

Sally sighed. “Andi, I don’t think I can get on board with this. I love you to death, but I don’t think I can.”

Andi nodded slowly. She hadn’t come here today anticipating this. Yes, she knew Sally was confused and expected answers, but this was so far from what she thought would happen. “Then I’m sorry you feel that way.” Andi considered picking up her coffee, but she wasn’t sure she could stomach it. Everything felt alien now that Rachel had left and Sally couldn’t be supportive. “You always promised to have my back. You were the one who told me everything would be okay when I started dating again. You’ve just shattered that for me, and I don’t know where we go from here now.”

Sally reached out and took Andi’s hand. “I do have your back. That’s why we’re having this conversation. This…isn’t normal behaviour, Andi. This isn’t you. Dating an escort? Really?”

“I’m not dating an escort. I’m dating Rachel. Her job plays no part in our relationship.” That emotion Andi had felt as she watched Rachel leave was beginning to rear its head again. She closed her eyes and breathed through it, something she’d done many times since Jane passed away. “I think I should just leave. I’m not justifying myself to you or anyone else. I can’t help who I’m attracted to, and so…I’m just going to leave.” Andi stood and straightened her jacket. “I…take care, Sally. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with one another.”

“Andi, wait!” Sally looked back at her with tears in her eyes. “Just sit down. Please.”

“Is anything I say going to change your mind?”

Sally swallowed, her silence saying everything it needed to.

“Bye, Sal.”

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