Page 78 of Love in the Storm

“I’ll be here for you through it all. Asa and Jacob will too.”

A smile strained Lyric’s cheeks. “I have no doubt.”

When Lyric turned back to where Asa and Jacob were waiting, she saw a familiar face stepping out of the order line. Wendy pushed a strand of hair behind her ear that had fallen out of her messy bun—a truly messy bun that didn’t have any of the casual appeal some women could pull off. Her friend kept her head low, studying the receipt the cashier just handed her.

“Do you mind if I say hello to a friend?” Lyric asked.

“Go ahead,” Betty said, pulling her glasses fromwhere they rested on her head and checking her phone.

“Be right back.” Lyric moved through the crowd until she was beside Wendy. “Hey.”

Wendy jerked her head up. She’d been stuffing change into her purse. “Oh, you scared me.” Resting a hand on her chest, she heaved a deep exhale.

“Sorry. It’s good to see you.” Up close, Lyric studied her friend. Wendy didn’t have on any makeup, but she wore a cute sweater and dark-wash jeans that fit well.

“You too. I’ve been worried about you since Russell…you know.”

Lyric scrunched her nose. “Has someone moved in yet?”

Wendy’s lips tightened into a thin line as she nodded.

“Figures. He was right. He needed a paying tenant.”

“But I hate what happened to you. You did find a place, right? You could have lived with us if we had any extra room. I mean, Jaycee is a little rough around the edges. You two might not have gotten along well.”

“I appreciate that, but I found a place.” Lyric jerked her head toward the table where Betty sat. Asa and Jacob had joined her, and Asa was glancing their way.

“You want to meet them?” Lyric asked.

“You’re living withAsa?” Wendy gasped. She’d met him once in the hallway when he’d been helping Lyric move her things out of the apartment.

“No. No. The lady is his mom.”

Wendy sighed. “Oh, I was about to say, we all know moving in with a man is the worst idea, even if he’s that handsome.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice. I made that mistake myself once, but I quickly found out I’d messed up.” Now that she’d found the Lord and dedicated her life to staying on the straight and narrow, all those mistakes waved in her mind like red flags.

Wendy grinned. “We live and learn, right?”

A few weeks ago, Lyric would have said living the sober life doesn’t get easier. Now, she couldn’t help but hope that this was the break she needed to get on her feet.

“You doing okay still?” Lyric asked.

“Six months.” Wendy held up her crossed fingers.

“You can do it. If you need any help, just call me.”

“I know. You’re the best.” Wendy wrapped an arm around Lyric’s shoulders. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” Wendy and Lyric had always been on similar paths, and cheering each other on had been vital for both of them. It was goodto have a reminder that you were being held accountable to someone who cared.

“Wendy!” the barista shouted.

“I need to run. I got a new job at Julia’s Flower Shop.”

“That’s great. I hope you love it.” Wendy had been through her share of ups and downs trying to get sober. A job she loved would be good for her.

“I do. I’ll call you soon. Tell Asa I said hey.”

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