Page 27 of A Twist of Fate

“Are you going to put your sign in the window or just hold it?” The smartass way I asked my sister made her smile even if I didn’t really feel it. It was a start, and something I tried to give her once in a while in order to erase the worry lines she was starting to get when I would catch her watching me.

“I think I’ll wait a few days, give you some time to feel your way around your old life and see if it’s what you still want.”

I agreed with my sister, for once, and was thankful I had her in my life to fall back on right now. Determination sprang anew though. While I was grateful for her offer, having a crutch might not have been the best thing. I left the shop and wandered down the street to one of the little cafes there. I had just ordered my lunch when a familiar voice boomed out behind me. I turned to see Zeke and Sully walking through the door and smiled at them. It was the first time I had genuinely felt light enough to attempt it too. My hand immediately flew to my neck and tugged at the studded leather collar I wore there now. I had some pretty ugly scarring along one side thanks to the accident. You would think your neck would be spared from road rash, but some sort of debris managed to slice and dice me as I slid, and now I wore a leather collar in an attempt to hide it the best I could.

I also hid behind heavier than usual eyeliner, thick mascara, and dark, smoky eyes. It was sort of like wearing a mask. I didn’t think people would be able to see past the makeup I now wore to find out that my eyes were vacant these days. I was nothing more than a walking shell.

“Is that our Gretchen, over there?” Sully teased when he saw me.

“Kind of looks like a vamped-out version of her,” Zeke agreed with him.

I smiled even bigger. “Are you guys eating here? I just ordered my food. You could join me so I can try to beg for my job back.” I threw the last out there quickly so I wouldn’t have to think too hard about it, and possibly change my mind.

“Done!” Zeke told me as he attempted to move closer to the counter.

“Done? As in you’ll eat with me, let me beg, or I can have my job back?”

He grinned back at me over his shoulder. “All of the above, now go get us a seat before they fill up. Make it near the window, because honey you’re looking a little paler than usual under all that makeup.”

A flutter broke free in my tummy, and warmth spread throughout my body. How had I shut these guys out for so long? They were my family just as much as my sister ever was. Missing them had just become a part of my grief right alongside of him and our… I couldn’t think about them right now.

“How have you been, baby-cakes?”

“I’ve been sad, Sully. I missed you guys.”

“We’ve been in the same spot, just waiting for you to come back.”

“I know that. I guess. In some ways, it feels like I lost everyone that day. You guys were there for me afterward, and I can’t thank you enough for that, but the person I was inside died with them and relating to you guys just wasn’t something easily accomplished.”

He nodded knowingly. “Have you spoken to Ever yet?”

I shook my head. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”

“You know that you’ll be working together still if you come back, right?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure to ease you in gently.”

Zeke plopped down with a tray loaded down with both their food and my order. “Thank you,” I told him as he put my sandwich and drink in front of me. Wouldn’t you know it, I had ordered the god damn tuna without thinking. Figures they’d show up.

Sully bumped me with his elbow as he laughed. “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he reached into his pocket and pulled a tin of breath mints. “I have you covered.”

“Great!” The word was muttered, but the strange laugh that erupted from me as I remembered the last time I had needed mints came to me. It died just as quickly when I remembered that was also the first day I’d seen Toby. It was the beginning of everything. Tears started to pool in my eyes, and I sucked in a deep breath, trying my best not to let them flow.

“Did you see the chick I had to work on earlier?” Sully asked Zeke, sparing me from their scrutiny.

Zeke chuckled. “I did. She’s probably walking around out there wondering why you didn’t propose on the spot.”

I glanced between my two friends. “What am I missing?”

“Let’s just say we were all surprised when she pulled her shirt off with nothing on underneath but an ‘I love Sully’ tattoo.”

“Some strange woman had your name on her?”

Sully was laughing and shaking his head. “No. It literally had the letter ‘I’, a picture of a heart, and then a picture of the blue monster from that kid’s movie.”

“Sully,” I named the monster and grinned even bigger.

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