"Hey, girl.How's Cole doing?"
I join her at the new summer display."He's not talking much.Working, hitting the gym every morning.Trying to process, I think."
Amanda glances at me."I can't blame him.He's been through hell."She adjusts a dress on the rack."God, I wish I had magical powers.That I could just..."She claps her hands together dramatically, "make my true prince appear."
The store bell chimes and Brian walks in, making Amanda's eyes go wide.
"Hey, ladies."
"Wish granted," I whisper, fighting a laugh.
Amanda clears her throat, crossing her arms."W-What are you doing here?"
He stops at a rack of dresses, fingers trailing the fabric while his eyes linger on Amanda."Nick said you've got trouble with the kitchen sink."
"Yes, and my brother promised to look at it."
"He and Cole are in meetings all day.I had time."His smile turns playful."And out of the three of us, I have the most experience with sinks."
The tension between them could power the whole block.To break it, I turn to Brian."Has Cole talked to you about his mom?"
His expression darkens."His mom is a heartless, soul-sucking witch.After what she did, he deserves to be bitter and angry.Let him process in his own time, Alisha."
I sigh."Yeah, you're right."
"If it helps, he told Nick and me his whole story.We thought he was messing with us about the piano thing."
My heart leaps.He opened up to his friends!God, I'm proud of him.
"For our bulldozer to share like that is huge.You and Samantha are changing him.Don't push him, Alisha.Let him feel the pain."
"What?"
Brian shrugs."Someone once told me she wished me pain.Sounds crazy, right?But she meant that when our heart breaks, we get a chance to grow.To develop ourselves and our emotions."
I blink, surprised by the depth from our usually playful friend.Before I can respond, the store bell chimes again.
My breath catches as Carmen Walker steps inside, Jeremy close behind her.She moves carefully through the store, her cream silk outfit pristine as always, but something's different.Her hands clench and unclench, and when her eyes meet mine, they're swimming with emotion.
"Can I help you?"My voice comes out steadier than I feel.
She blinks rapidly."I'm sorry for coming here, but Cole hasn't answered my calls since..."She glances at Amanda and Brian, trailing off.
"Oh, we know what happened," Brian says coldly.
Carmen's lips press together as she swallows."Could I talk with you in private?"
Brian's disapproving cough fills the silence.
"Please, Alisha."Carmen's voice trembles."Let me explain a few things."
Damn.Cole will be furious if he finds out I talked to her.But Samantha's tears and Jessica's words about forgiveness echo in my mind.
"Please, Alisha, give Carmen a few minutes," Jeremy pleads softly.
Amanda catches my eye, shrugging to say it's my call.
I look at Carmen - this proud woman now nearly breaking before me - and realize I have to make a choice that could change everything.
