Chapter Thirty-Two

Cassidy

Taco Tuesday is exactly what I need for my first night out.

My bruise is healed, but sometimes, as I’m getting dressed or in the shower, I peek down at my neck, expecting the reminder of Quinton’s abuse. At times, I feel like the journey I’ve taken on since my arrest has been the one intended to make me a stronger woman. Even with my father’s infidelities, my parents did everything they could to create a perfect unicorns and rainbows life for me.

Quinton prepared me for the real world and taught me how it’s not always perfect, not always safe, and not always the way you want it to be.

It also led me to the man who stole my heart and protected it through that journey.

Tonight’s dinner is being thrown at the Callahan-slash-Georgia penthouse. The last and only time I’ve been here was the day I walked in on Lincoln and Isla whispering like two kids on the playground, and as everyone knows, I hate whispering.

I expected my stomach to turn, for nausea to swarm my body, but when I walk in and see my friends, I smile.

Smile because, like Lincoln, I’ve found something real—authentic friendships I know will last over time. No matter what happens, no matter if I get in trouble, no matter if I try to run and hide, they’ll have my back.

I rode with Grace. She hasn’t stayed at the house much and doesn’t mention where she’s been sleeping. I’m worried her absence has something to do with me. Maybe she’s worried Quinton could come back to finish me off and hurt her in the process.

The aroma of fresh-baked tortillas, quesadillas, and tacos smacks into my nostrils as I take a look around. There’s no stopping me from laughing when I see the décor Georgia bought the day we went shopping. That day seems like an eternity ago after all the events that took place.

“Hey, girl, hey!” Georgia says, wrapping me up in a hug and leading me into the kitchen, where Silas and Archer are.

Silas is cooking while Archer is standing next to him, talking with a beer in his hand.

“Cassidy,” Archer says as Georgia grips his shoulder, leaning into his side. “How have you been?”

I smile, happy that he asked. “Good … better.”