“Yeah, you’re probably right,” she said. “Man, I really miss the days when she was little, and sweet and helpful.” Maybe that was the real reason she missed Amelia’s old friends. She’d known them when they were younger. Back when they still needed help with things. When they were around, she felt that old maternal instinct kick in, and still had the sense—regardless of how false it may have been—that she was in control.

“Tell me about it.” Natalie smiled in a conspiratorial way. “Before Marc turned into the teenage-monster, he was the sweetest little boy, always giving hugs and kisses and helping me bring in the groceries and stuff.”

“Oh, my God. The groceries,” Whitney blurted out, Natalie’s words reminding her. “I went to the store earlier, and the food’s still in my car.”

“Oh, okay. Well, I’ll help you bring it up,” Natalie offered without hesitation.

Whitney waved away her words. She’d already taken enough of her time. “It’s all right. I got it. You can head home if you need.”

“Nonsense.” Natalie shook her head. “I’ll stay with you until Amelia comes home.” Without waiting for Whitney to respond, she moved toward the front door. “Let’s go grab those groceries.”

Smiling, Whitney grabbed her keys and followed her friend out the front door. Together, they bounded down the stairs and made their way to the parking lot.

In her haste, she’d left the car unlocked earlier. So, they both opened the back doors and grabbed out a bag. Whitney was about to lock the doors when she spotted the gummy worms in the front seat.

“Oh, hang on.” She opened the door with her free hand and reached inside. Her fingers wrapped around the warm bag of now-melted candy as she plucked them off the seat. The plastic was slick, and it slipped from her fingers, falling to the floorboards. She set the grocery bag on the pavement and then bent down to fish around for the bag of gummy bears. When she was about to stand back up she noticed a receipt crumpled up under the front seat. She snatched it up and smoothed it out.

It took a minute for the words to register. None of it made any sense.

Victoria’s Secret.

Sunrise Mall.

She didn’t shop at Victoria’s Secret. Maybe she should have. She’d thought about it lately, since she and Jay had started dating. Before that, she had no need for pretty bras and panties. She needed functional. Budget friendly. But even so, they lived right by Arden mall. There would be no reason to go to Sunrise. Her gaze shot to the top of the receipt. Amelia’s card was used, not hers. It was from a couple of weeks ago. Thursday. Time-stamped at 3:30 p.m.