Page 138 of Fracture

“Good for you.” Flea nods, crossing his arms back across his chest. “I… I really am sorry all that happened to you. You seem nice, and you have good taste in books. I’m glad you’re, you know, you’re OK.”

“Thanks, Flea. I am.” I want to reach out and touch his arm, to maybe hug him, but I don’t think that kind of contact would be welcomed. It feels so hollow to just say thank you, but it’s all I can offer him. I fish my card out of my purse, and hand it to him. “If you ever need anything, call me.”

“Like, legal advice?” He asks cynically.

I can’t help but laugh. “Well, I hope you never need that again, but if you do, sure. But anything else - a place to stay, a job, maybe a date with a pretty girl?”

He eyes me with a smirk. “Oh yeah?”

“Sure. I know people.”

Flea laughs softly, rolling his shoulders. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You do that. Take care, Flea.” I give him one last warm smile, before I head out of his basement apartment and into the Fall sunshine. Back in my car, I take out my phone, pulling up the number and knowing it will be answered quickly.

“Stella?” Mallory’s voice is bright down the line. “How’s everything going?”

“Everything’s great, thanks.”

“Do you have the list?”

I swallow hard, putting my hand on my purse. “Yes, I do.”

“Good, that’s good.”

“Mallory, I’m not going to lie. I’m a little scared.”

“That’s totally normal,” she replies, and I can practically hear her smiling down the phone. “I am so proud of you. And you’re doing the right thing. I’ll see you soon?”

“Yeah. I’m on my way.”

We hang up, and I dial Dylan’s number.

“Hey,guera,” he drawls down the line. “Where are you?”

“I have a meeting. I just wanted you to know I’ll be home late.”

“No problem, we’ll be here.”

“Good.” I stay on the line, not saying anything, just staring at my purse.

“Stella?” Dylan’s voice is warm in my ear. “Is something wrong?”

“No, no. Everything’s great. I promise. I’ll explain when I get home.”

“OK.” He doesn’t sound too certain, but doesn’t press me for more details. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. Give Levi a kiss for me.”

“I can do that.”

“Bye.” I hang up before he can respond, and start my car. The engine hums, and I stare out the windshield.This ends now. Under my terms.

The studio lights are brighter than I was expecting. My leg bounces against the soft velvet of the armchair, my fingers ticking restlessly in my lap. I don’t want to break out in sweat and look nervous on camera, so I take a few deep breaths.

You can do this. It’s going to be fine.

Mallory is talking to some colleagues, the final touches being applied to her makeup. She flips through a folder, nodding as theman beside her points to several pages. She closes the folder and waves off the makeup person, before striding across the studio to me.

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