“That’s my question. Do you think someone like Mia can truly change?”

Amber put down her fork and took a sip of water. “To be completely honest with you, if you hadn’t told me about Mia, I would never have known. I’m not an expert on personality types and the traits that define a bully, but I would never in a million years have pegged Mia as one. I haven’t spent a lot of time with her myself, but I know people who have, and for that reason I think Mia might actually have changed.”

“Are you talking about Micky?”

“They have been spending quite a bit of time together, yes.” Amber scrunched her lips together again. “You should talk to Micky.”

“I should?” This took Lou aback.

“She knows Mia better. She might know… other things.”

Lou’s eyes grew wide. “Does Micky know about what happened with Mia and me?” Instant panic in her gut.

“I consider you a friend, Lou. As your friend, I’m telling you that you might benefit from a conversation with Micky. I’ll also tell you that whatever Micky knows, she didn’t get from me. Confidentiality is important to me.” Only Amber could say such a thing in such a solemn tone of voice.

“So Mia told her?” Lou couldn’t believe it. The nerve of Mia.

“None of this is for me to say. But to get back to your very first question. You and I are cut from the same cloth. That’s one of the reasons I hired you. I saw a lot of myself in you. And I think that, if I can believe that a person can fundamentally change who they are, so can you. Not only that, though. I believe in the power of forgiveness. I think you do too. I know it sounds radical, perhaps foolish to your ears right at this very moment, but forgiveness sets you free. That’s what I believe.”

“You think I should forgive her?” Lou wondered if she had started this conversation because Amber would push her to think about Mia differently. Because she had seen with her own eyes how Amber had warmed to Mia, and it wasn’t a fake business-like kind of warmth because Mia was helping her. It was more than that. Amber knew something. So did Micky. What on earth had Mia told Micky? Because those two were still chummy, getting chummier by the day, it seemed, and Micky didn’t seem like the kind of person who would be easily fooled by Mia’s smile and helpful behavior.