Page 48 of The Two Last Moments

On our way to the barbecue, I touch up the lipstick I borrowed from Starla. She and Nina wanted to go full-makeover on me, and I almost said no. But then I realized,why not?I decided to go for it.

That’s my motto of the day—live a little. Why the heck shouldn’t I?

Even if some people think I should be stuck inside the house trying to “get better.”

“You’re all dolled up,” Danny says.

“Just trying to do what Nina requested. Go out and have an adventure so she can live vicariously. It’s the least I can do to repay her generosity.” I snap the lipstick cap closed.

“Lark.” He sighs. He’s been doing that a lot. “I can tell you’re pissed at me, but—”

“Why would I be pissed at you? You’ve done nothing but help me.” But I do sound pissed, don’t I?

I’m just a woman who’s fed up with the hand I’ve been dealt. That’s not Danny’s fault. But that doesn’t change the fact that I need to do something different, whether he approves of it or not.

Instead of trying to get better, I’m going to try tolive my life.

But first, I have to get one.

We pull up to a massive stucco house with a Spanish tile roof and a very distinctive paint color. “We call it the Pink House,” he says.

“Gee, I wonder why?”

It’s two stories, with a deck off each floor and a huge backyard. So this is where Danny lived before he moved in with Nina. It’s much bigger and nicer than I would’ve expected, despite the bright pink stucco. But I guess that’s why he has four roommates—so that they could afford a place like this.

Outdoor speakers are pumping out music, and there are about twenty people here so far, laughing and talking. Every eye turns to us as we walk into the yard.

“They’re staring at me because I’m the amnesia girl, right?”

“I don’t think that’s why they’re staring,” he mutters.

He takes me over to a woman with a high ponytail and a bright smile. She’s standing with Cliff, the patrol officer I met a few weeks ago at Danny’s house.

The woman gives Danny a one-armed hug. “We finally get to meet your new roomie, huh?”

“He’s been keeping me locked up,” I joke. Danny tilts his head like he’s exasperated with me. But his friend snorts a laugh.

“Lark, this is Quinn Ainsley.”

Quinn gives me a hug. “Welcome! Make yourself at home.”

“And you remember Cliff, right?” Danny asks me.

“Yeah. Of course.”

“You’re looking a lot better than when I saw you last,” Cliff says.

Quinn rolls her eyes and elbows him. “You’re not supposed to say things like that to a woman. You’re suggesting she looked bad before.”

“Not what I said!”

Quinn smiles at me. “Ignore him. I think what he means is,great dress.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll get us some drinks,” Danny announces. “I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time,” I say quietly. “I don’t need you to hover.”

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