“I think we both know what he would have done.” I place my hand on her cheek. “Don’t you think you could find something else to do that’s less dangerous? There’s got to be ways to help where you aren’t walking alone in a deserted parking lot at eleven o’clock at night.”
“I’m fine. Thank you.” The walls slam down as if she’s permanently dismissing me.
“Hey.” I raise my hands in defense. “I was only suggesting so you’d stay safe. This is a dangerous neighborhood.”
“Someone must help women and children who’ve been abused, and a large portion of those women are from this neighborhood or a similar one. And guess what?” She slams her hands on her hips. “Other neighborhoods, safer neighborhoods, don’t want women’s shelters in them. They don’t want their property values to go down. And they don’t want to admit that there are issues. Or if there are issues, they don’t care. Not in their backyard,” she scoffs. “But the funny thing is, these issues aren’t just for the poor. You’re clearly one of those people who doesn’t want to know what goes on behind closed doors.”
She spins on her heel and marches to the building down the street. Seriously? All I wanted was for her to stay safe, and I get this? Yeah. This is why I don’t do relationships. Women are irrational and dramatic. I save her, and this is the thanks I get.
You’re welcome. As I march back to my car, I fight the urge to yell the words at her.
But I wait until she comes back outside and is safely inside her car before I drop into my seat and slam the door shut. I’m a sap. Or an idiot. Or a sappy idiot.
Chapter Sixteen
Daisy
Five Days Later
My phone beeps as I wait in the hallway for calculus class.Julia.“Hello?”
“I’m sorry I took so long to get back to you. When we got back from our honeymoon, everything was crazy at work. It took me until today to not feel like I was drowning.”
“That’s fine. I had told Tripp I’d tell you his sister was trying to reach you.” I lean against the cement blocks and let the cool temperatures soak through my T-shirt. The typical steady stream of students speeds up as class time approaches.
“Thank you. I appreciate it. I caught up with Laurel the night you texted me and met up with her for the event she wanted me to attend.”
“That’s nice.” Of course, you did. You can’t call me back for five days, but you found the time to hang out with a girl from college–one you haven’t seen in years. Or even thought about in years. Because if you had, she’d have been invited to the wedding. The more guests, the more presents.
“It was. It was nice to spend some time with the girls from the sorority with whom I’d lost contact over the years.”
“How was the honeymoon?” Did you tell Wyatt you bonked the bartender at the bachelorette party?
“It was nice. The weather was great.”
I bet it was. How can she look Wyatt in the eye and not feel like a slutty bitch? If my parents knew she cheated on Wyatt, would they be mad? Or would they shove it under the rug to keep Julia’s perfect image alive in their minds?
“Did Wyatt enjoy himself?”
“Yes, he did. Thank you for asking.” Her voice is clipped as if she’s irritated that I’m giving her the third degree.
Zoe waves as she scurries down the hallway toward me. Her last class is across campus, so she doesn’t have much time to travel from one end of campus to the other.
“Listen, Daisy.” Julia pauses for a second. “Meet me tomorrow night at Callahan’s. 7 o’clock. Don’t be late. My schedule is packed. I’ll see you then. I’ve got to go.” The line clicks off in my ear.
Zoe arches her eyebrows as I walk toward her. “Who was that?”
“Julia.”
Her eyes widen. “Did you ask her?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I didn’t, but she wants to meet me tomorrow night at Callahan’s.”
“Shoot.” Her face falls as she hitches her backpack higher on her shoulder. “I would love to be there like a fly on the wall to hear what she says, but I’ve got to work tomorrow tonight. Promise me you’ll tell me what she says.”
“I will.” I figure there’s no reason for me to keep my sister’s confidence. I’m one of her last considerations, and instead of asking if I have time to meet her, she demands. As usual.
Alexander waltzes down the hallway, wearing a pair of tight blue jeans and a button-down white dress shirt tucked inside. His shirt sleeves are rolled up, exposing his strong forearms. God. My mouth waters. It’s ridiculous he’s so handsome.