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  “Beck, you’re a guy. What’s going on with that?” I pat around my puffy eyes to restart the active ingredients in the moisturizer.

  “I say he doesn’t owe you an explanation.” Beck brushes his loose curls out of his eyes.

  “What you just said doesn’t make me feel better.” I reach up for the Manhattan cocktail Lucy made for me.

  “Look Hallie, this guy never asked you out. He only asked you to come to his bar.” Beck takes the tongs and turns the steaks. “He saw you were into running and all runners need companions. You gave him attention about it. I’m sure he’s a nice guy.”

  “I think what Beck is saying is that you never led Bo to believe you’re interested in him. When you did the mini-marathon and he showed up with flowers, you said thanks, and went home and went to bed.”

  “I was exhausted.” I totally forgot I did that. “I guess I should’ve asked him to come?”

  “No, not to bed.” Lucy always has the answers. “You should’ve stayed up and had lunch or done something together. He probably took it as a sign that you weren’t interested.”

  “All men want to be coddled over,” Beck explains. “They may not show it because we want you to think we are manly men. And we don’t give flowers to anyone.”

  “What happened to good old-fashioned dating?” I ask. “Boy asks out girl, girl accepts. Boy tries to get to second base on first date; girl plays coy and thus begins the reel-him-in stage.” That is the real question.

  Lucy and Beck shrug it off. “Time will tell.” Beck puts an end to the conversation.

  “What are we going to do without each other?” Lucy says, bringing me back to my imminent move.

  “You mean, what am I going to do without you?” I’m not sure how well I’m going to do without the daily support of her.

  The longest Lucy and I’ve ever been apart, since college, was during summer breaks. And even then, we visited for weeks at a time.

  “It’ll be like the old days.” She laughs. “I still can’t shake the notion that Piper has something to do with this.”

  She paces back and forth.

  “If it’s any consolation,” Lucy says, “I think you’re going to rock as a regional manager. I can’t wait to visit.”

  Lucy’s finger taps her temple, then points at me. “

  I’ve got it!” She scrambles over and sits down next to me. “You’re a threat, so she’s shipping you off … or she’s so jealous of you that she wants your life.”

  “Don’t be silly.” I ponder what she says. Lucy is generally right with her hunches, though. I don’t want this to be the reason they promoted me. I refuse to let Lucy plant these kinds of ideas in my head.

  Unfortunately my head is telling me the same thing. Piper’s paws are all over the transfer and Bo.

  After dinner, I leave Beck and Lucy to finish watching the game.

  My mind is on overload, and I actually fall asleep pretty quickly, and sleep all night. I’ve made peace with my decision, and ready to start my three-month sentence.

  Chapter Eight

  I’m done with the pity party. There are a lot of things I’m going to miss about Chicago.

  I refuse to let my girls’ night in be effected. I open my laptop and use my good ole’ friend Google. I search for spas around Cincinnati.

  To my surprise, I find a charming little town, West Baden, Indiana, that has a really cool-looking spa. With my starting bonus, I’ll be able to afford for all four of us to go. I can’t think of a better way to spend my money. Plus, it’s only thirty minutes from Cincinnati.

  I walk in the kitchen, and Lucy is already there pulling the coffee beans out of the cabinet.

  “Good morning.” I’m going to miss these special times.

  I’m going to make the most of what little time I do have left, and it’s going to be a positive experience. You know what they say about life, lemons and lemonade. I plan to make the sweetest lemonade around.

  Lucy puts the coffee mugs on the counter and hands me a beautifully packaged gift. If I didn’t know better and if I had to guess, I’d think it’s a necklace since it’s in a box that a necklace would come in.

  “Give it to Piper as a good-luck-and-thanks-for-the-opportunity gift.” Lucy’s failure to make eye contact stirs suspicion.

  Curiously, I pick the box up and shake it. Whatever is inside doesn’t sound like a necklace.

  “You’re scaring me. What is it?” Do I dare ask?

  Carefully, I put the box back on the counter so the poison won’t spill out and kill me.

  “Isn’t she going to be moving her and getting her own place?” Lucy questions.

  “Yes, unless she is already living with Bo.” The sound and the thought of that makes my stomach turn. I realize I hadn’t thought about how this process is going to uproot Piper. She doesn’t live here, and if she’s going to be working out of Chicago, she’s going to need a place to live.

  “It’s a knife.” Lucy’s smile beams with pride.

  “A knife?”

  “A knife.” She acts as though everything is normal and giving a knife as a present is also normal.

  “Okay, I’ll bite. What’s the knife about?” I’m almost afraid of her answer.

  “Granny always said to never give a friend a knife as a gift or you cut the friendship forever.” Lucy grins.

  Clearly she’s lost her mind. With her coffee mug in nestled her hands, she sashays towards her room not looking back to see my reaction.

  Lucy’s granny was full of superstition and shared them with Lucy as she grew up. I say they’re a bunch of old wives’ tales.

  I have no idea what makes me put the wrapped knife in my purse, but I do. Frightening as it may sound, I’m not against giving it to Piper under the right circumstances.

  You can never go wrong with white pants and a tortoise shell shantung silk blouse. I put my tortoise wedge sandals in my bag to complement the outfit. Looking in the mirror for my last day at the Michigan Avenue store, I take my time getting my coffee and walking to work to accept my fate.

  “Hello, everyone.” I greet my co-workers with a fake smile.

  The store is buzzing with customers. Some I recognize, some I don’t.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Chavez. How are you?” She’s browsing the more expensive part of the store, which isn’t uncommon for her.

  “Hello, dear. I’m trying to find something to go with the Joy medium bag I ordered earlier in the spring.” She pulls out a picture of the bag, one that won’t be shipped for a few more weeks and hands it to me.

  I know it all too well. I talked her into that bag on a slow day.

  “I’m going to be going out of town. Spain, dear. Spain. I want a nice little turquoise shirt to complement it.”

  “I’m sure Suzette would love to help you.” Normally I’d help her, but I don’t see the need today. I’m no longer responsible for the Michigan sale. I want to see Piper fall on her face.

  Piper motions for Suzette to get lost. Piper looks stunning in the shell print dress that hasn’t even hit the stores yet.

  “Don’t worry, Suzette. Let me introduce myself, Mrs. Chavez. I’m Piper Kelty, new store manager. I love to help our loyal customers.” Piper gives me a backhanded look.

  “Where are you going, dear?” Mrs. Chavez brows crease.

  “I am.…” I start to say before Piper cuts me off.

  “She’s going to be the new regional manager in the Cincinnati boutique.” Piper smiles. “We are so proud of her.”

  Piper takes Mrs. Chavez by the elbow and gently walks her over to the other side of the boutique.

  “Let’s go find some turquoise items to go with your fabulous new bag.”

  What the hell? Perspiration beads on my upper lip. Great. My body fluids are boiling.

  Mrs. Chavez gives a slight wave over her shoulder as she lets Piper guide her to the really expensive items.

  It is on!

  I grab the beautifully wrapped knife out of my bag, p
ut it on top the signed offer, and lay both on my desk. I quickly turn on the tips of my heels and walk out. With my head held high.

  Chapter Nine

  “Aren’t you ready?” Lucy calls from the family room.

  I don’t know why they insist on giving me a going-away party. I’m not going away for long.

  My faded jeans, white long sleeved shirt, and fringed scarf with golden flats will do the trick.

  “Wow, you look great.” Lucy tucks her hair behind her ear.

  It’s a big night for us. It goes unspoken although it is loud and clear in our actions. This will be the last night together in our apartment for awhile.

  “Thank you.” It comes out in a faint whisper.

  This time tomorrow, I’ll be in a completely different stage in my life. I can’t think about that. Being strong for Lucy and my friends is what I need to do right now.

  Lucy brushes my hair behind my shoulders and places a rosette clip to one side of my head.

  “Perfect.”

  We stand for a moment. Looking at each other, not sure what to say.

  I break the silence. “Three months isn’t all that long.”

  “We better go.” Lucy held the door.

  We grab a taxi, down to Water Tower Place, the coolest building to live in. Prudence’s condo is to-die-for with hardwood floors, floor to ceiling windows, and bathrooms with heated tiles so your feet won’t be cold. Oh, and a spectacular view.

  “Welcome!” Prudence screams when we walk in. She starts a round of “she’s a jolly good fellow.” Everyone joins in and holds their champagne glasses high in the air.

  I’m publicly embarrassed, and privately loving all the attention.

  Before walking out on the balcony, I thank everyone for coming.

  The cold night air, sends gives me a shiver. I pull my scarf around my arms, and over my right shoulder I see a profile I’d recognize anywhere.

  My breathing grows shallow when he turns around and our eyes meet. His eyes penetrate my soul. How could I be so wrong about the attraction I feel between us? The others disappear as we meet in the middle like two magnets.

  Why did this June Chicago night have to be so spectacular? The city is lit up. The ferris wheel is going full speed over at the pier, and the sail-boats dot the water like stars.

  “I’m sorry to hear you won’t be joining us in the mornings.” Bo says, looking out at Lake Michigan.

  Are you kidding me? That’s all he has to be sorry for? I want to grab him by his muscular biceps and shake him. I want to yell, “I started running to get to know you. You are a fool!”

  I refrain, however.

  He’s part of my plan to get back at Piper. To hurt her for uprooting me.

  “I’m going to miss your cute butt.” I put my finger in my cocktail and lick it. I’ve never been this bold, but if I can put some thoughts in his head to mess with him, it’s worth it.

  He blushes and nervously laughs. “I knew you ran behind me for some reason.”

  I grab two drinks from the floating bartender’s tray. Down one and start on the other.

  “I haven’t seen you drink this much before,” he says.

  If I’m going to go along with my own plan of getting Bo to notice me, I need to get drunk.

  “I don’t think you ever showed up at your bar when you invited me,” I say.

  The floating bartender tips her tray away from me when she walks by.

  “How did you know I was leaving?” I ask. I want to play coy, and see if he tells me about Piper.

  “The other night, your co-workers showed up at the bar without you.” He looks down at his feet. He stammers, “I asked where you were and Piper told me.”

  Piper told you? You mean the girl you are sleeping with? The one that is going around wearing your ratty Wednesday shirt in the Church of Gucci?

  “Hallie!” The balcony door flies open just enough so I can see the burning cake behind Prudence. “Get in here and celebrate your success.”

  Exchanging a quick glance with Bo, I go in and join the party. Bo’s gentle hand slides down my arm to catch my finger tips and tug. Oh, how I’ve wanted to feel his hands on me.

  “I need to tell you something before you go,” His hazel eyes sparkle and his hand is warm.

  “I have to go in.”

  I don’t want to hear about how he and Piper are a big fat couple. To hear him rub it in my face while turning the knife in my back.

  “I really do need to talk to you,” he says before he let go of my hand.

  A vision of him holding my hand and walking in together to blow out my candles makes my head spin.

  I don’t know if it’s the booze or Bo, but the feeling I get from his touch is better than any high I’ve ever known.

  Three months is going to feel like three years. I’m with these three ladies four nights out of the week. We talk on the phone at least once a day. The next three months are destined to be hell.

  “We got you a little something.” Georgia smiles and hands me a yellow box.

  I laugh, untying the silk ribbon because I know what’s inside. I pull out the rose quartz laughing Buddha.

  “I don’t know if you remember but if you put him in the east side of your new apartment he’ll bring you luck, health and happiness.” Lucy points to Beck. “See it helped me.”

  It was my idea to give each other a Buddha on special occasions. I love feng shui. I made our apartment as spiritually free-floating as I could.

  I had a map of our bagua and placed all sorts of good-luck Chinese pieces around to create a flow to our chi. With the help of water features, bamboo, candles, coins, and red ribbons, I’ve created a harmony to our apartment. Now I’m going to have to do this all over again!

  Only one problem, there isn’t enough feng shui in the world to give me peace about revisiting my past.

  “I want to thank each and every one of you for coming to see me off,” I say. “I didn’t realize it took me leaving for us all to get together.”

  Someone yells out how they came for the free drinks, making everyone laughs.

  “Very funny. Seriously, I couldn’t ask for better friends. I’m not going to bother you with opening all these wonderful going away gifts. Besides, Lucy told me that I can’t move anything because once you move out of a place, you can’t move back in for three years.”

  “Let me guess, Granny?” someone calls out.

  “Yes. Granny.” I smile at Lucy who acts shy and innocent. “And I’m only going to be gone a few months, not years.”

  Her Granny’s superstition is trickling in all of us.

  “Thank you.” I whisper in Prudence’s ear. “I can’t believe you put this together.” I step back and put my hands together and bow. “Namaste.”

  “You are welcome.” She takes my hand. Her nose curls in disgusts. “What is that?”

  I look down at my right knuckle. A big red bump the size of a dime. It sorta looks like a boil. I put my finger on it. It doesn’t hurt. It quickly leaves my mind when I pick up the drink from the floating waitress who’s obviously trying to dodge me.

  “Are you okay?” Prudence can tell something isn’t sitting well with me.

  “I feel a little bit queasy.” I put my hand on the person closest to me. Those beautiful hazel eyes stare back at me. I gush like a school-girl. “Bo.”

  “I’ll take her home,” Bo says.

  He walks me to the door and I want to to protest, but nothing will come out. I can’t leave my party this early. I want to stay and be with my girlfriends. The butterflies, in my stomach, float around when I imagine three months without them. They are my family. They’re there when I need them. I know it sounds silly, but sometimes I just want nothing more than to be around them.

  It’s nice to be able to sit and not talk or even feel like we have to talk. There aren’t too many friendships around like this.

  “Come on, Hallie.” Bo prompts me to keep walking.

  “I can’t leave.” I ba
bble like an idiot, “I want to stay here and look at them.”

  “You have a big day ahead of you.” Bo is the voice of reason and the picture of perfection. “You need to sleep off the alcohol you’ve consumed.”

  “Hallie, you’re only going to be gone for three months.” Of course Georgia has to be the one to stand up to me. The “mom” of the group. “We’re still going to have our girls’ night in and we’re going to visit.” She cups her hands around my face and kisses the tip of my nose.

  “We love you.” Prudence stands behind her.

  “Bo is right.” Lucy looks at Bo and back to me. “You’ve had a little too much to drink and you need to go to bed so you can drive safely tomorrow.”

  With my head tucked like a good little girl, I let Bo lead the way.

  Chapter Ten

  A piece of paper next to my pillow scratches me when I roll over to shield my eyes from the sun dotting through the blinds.

  Ignoring the gigantic red bump staring at me from my knuckle, I read the note.

  Hallie,

  Please call me as soon as you get settled in Cincinnati. It’s really important that I talk to you.

  Bo

  Embarrassment creeps across my cheeks as I slowly remember the turn of events from last night. The ever-so-well-mannered Bo tucked me into bed, fully clothed, and talked me into sleeping off my drunken stupor.

  If Bo wants me to call him as soon as I get settled in Cincinnati, then I haven’t totally scared him off.

  It’s something I’m going to have to think about. I’m not sure I’ll be able to grant him his wish. Its bad enough I have to go back to face my past. I’m not about to let my past slide into my future. I’m going to get these three months over and come back to my life.

  Hesitant, it takes every bone in my body to put the first pair of shoes in the waiting boxes.

  Summer items, shoes and a few lay-around outfits are the only items I’m going to pack. I figure when I’m not at work, I’ll be depressed in my bed, jogging, or on my five-hour journeys back to visit my peeps in Chicago.