“Uh-huh. Hey, what are you doing for lunch?”
I snarled my lip at Melissa as I stared at her like she was crazy. “I just threw my guts up and you want to go eat?”
Melissa stood up and nodded her head. “Yeah, grab your purse and meet me up front. It’s a beautiful April day so we’ll walk.”
Fear crept in as I thought about Joshua Black. The fact that he had been outside Grayson’s apartment had me completely freaked out. I’d seen him once in Starbucks but he didn’t try to even talk to me.
“Stop worrying. I can see the fear in your eyes. Let’s just go have lunch and for once you’re not going to worry about some random guy . . . right?”
I took in a deep breath and slowly pushed it back out. “Right. It’s a beautiful day so let’s enjoy it.”
Melissa headed out to grab her things, so I sent Grayson a quick text.
Me: Heading to lunch with Melissa. We are going to walk I think to Derby’s.
Grayson had been working long days the last few weeks. There had been another rape/murder and this time it was closer to my apartment. It didn’t take me long to move everything out of my old apartment and into Grayson’s. A week after my parents left, I started moving things into storage or Grayson’s place.
Gray: Okay, baby. Are you ready for tonight?
I couldn’t erase the silly grin on my face. Hell yes I was ready. A private show from my sexier-than-hell fiancé. Fuck. Yes.
Me: Hell yes! I hope you have been practicing your dance moves!
Gray: Oh don’t worry sweetheart. I’ll be teaching you something new tonight.
My body instantly got hot as the throbbing between my legs hit me.
Me: I can’t wait. Better go, I’m getting horny.
Gray: God I love you.
With a giggle I replied back.
Me: Love you the most! Bye!
Gray: Bye. Be careful.
Reaching for my purse, I tossed my phone into it and made my way toward the lobby to meet Melissa.
Jennifer waved goodbye to us as she chatted with someone on the phone. The walk to Derby’s was a quick ten-minute walk. Melissa was spot on about the weather. It was about sixty-four outside and beyond beautiful.
“I need to run into the drugstore really quick. Want to go ahead and get us a table?”
“Sure!” I said as I took off across the street. Derby’s was a cute little sandwich shop that the office frequented often. Before I walked inside, someone called out my name.
Turning, an older woman with bleach-blonde hair and a body to die for, approached me. “Meagan Atwood?”
Not having a clue as to who she was, I gave her a polite smile. “Yes. I’m sorry, do we know each other?”
With a smirk, she shook her head. “Oh, we’ve never met, but I know you.”
My heart started beating rapidly. “H-how?”
“You gave that amazing talk at the high school two weeks ago. My daughter is a senior there and was so touched by your words.”
I let out the breath I had been holding in and smiled. “Well, I’m so glad she was moved by what I had to say. It’s a subject very close to my heart and I’m very passionate it about it.”
“I think that’s amazing. There are a few moms who set up a little group after . . . well . . . after um.”
“Mitchell’s suicide?”
Her face dropped some as she tried to smile. “Yes. Anyway, we have a meeting coming up in a few days and I would be honored if you joined us. Your experience and knowledge on this subject would really help us to make more of an effort in the schools to stop bullying.”
Feeling a sense of pride that I was doing something Mitchell had asked me to do, I nodded enthusiastically. “I’d love to!”
“Do you have a cell number or email I can send you the meeting details?”
“Oh of course, yes.” I searched through my purse for my business card and handed it to her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
“Susan Powell.”
As I reached my hand out to shake hers, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I quickly looked around for Joshua, but saw nothing. “Um, it was a pleasure meeting you, Susan. Tell your daughter—”
“Kate.”
“Tell your daughter Kate I hope to get to meet her again.”
Susan took my card and put it in her purse. “Will do. Have to run now though, I’m late for a nail appointment.”
Susan took off across the street as I watched her walk off. Melissa walked up to me with a perplexed look on her face. “Who was that?”
My stomach was still feeling upset, but the walk and fresh air had helped. I rolled my neck around trying to shake off the nausea. “Just a mom from the high school I spoke at a few weeks ago. Her daughter told her about my visit.”
My neck had gotten so stiff as I rubbed the back of it with my hand. “You ready to go in?”
Melissa looked over her shoulder at Susan as she made her way down the street. “She must have had kids late in life, she looked a little old to have a high school kid.”