Fox pauses before answering, “Summer attracts really horrible people. They use her and treat her like a doormat because they know she won’t fight back. She’ll just take it and cry. I thought Malcolm was one of those people at first.”

“Ahhh.”

“Yeah. He was always talking about someone named Joy and it was pretty obvious how much he cared about her. I think Malcolm sold Summer on the idea of you without realizing it. He had her convinced you walked on water. The most supportive and faithful person to ever exist and you just have this big open heart that loves people just as they are. That’s part of why she was so excited to meet you. She wants what you two have.”

“With Malcolm?” Joy laughs to lighten the mood. “There’s a Single White Female joke in here somewhere but with colorblind casting where race suddenly doesn’t matter.”

“With you, Joy. She really wants to be friends with you too.”

“I know.” She sighs. “Summer’s not so bad, but I just don’t know. I don’t even know if Malcolm wants me around him if we’re not at work. And if I start taking the steps to heal on my own, part of that will probably involve separating from him anyway because I’m scared I don’t know how to live without him. She’s dating him, and if she and I are friends, I’ll most likely see him before I’m ready.”

“Which defeats the entire purpose,” Fox says. “Hmm.”

“I’ll have to think about it.”

“If you decide to go, I’ll be there.” He pauses again. “Also, my shop is opening next week.”

“I remember.”

“Would you want to see it before then? Everything’s set up already. Maybe Friday evening if you’re free.”

“I would love to. That’s so exciting.” Joy bites her lip, wondering if she should go for it, telling herself she should, and nearly succumbing to doubt. She squeezes her eyes shut, bracing for impact. “And maybe after we could get dinner?”

“Yeah. That’d be nice,” he says. “Whatever you want.”

Twenty-Eight

WEDNESDAY

Grace has been calling non-stop all day. To be fair, Joy sent her updates by text to help her sister’s twin spider-sense relax, but she didn’t want to talk to her yet. If she did, Grace might influence her, convince her to do something before she’s ready.

Everything with Fox feels so delicate, like it could snap and fade away at any moment. One wrong move and Joy’s back to square one. She picks up her phone, planning to silence the ringer, when she sees a text from Fox.

FOX: Has work been okay?

JOY: I think so. But I don’t know if I’m strong enough to handle this.

JOY: I’m thinking of putting in my too weak notice.