The Third Act by Michele L Rivera

Author:Michele L Rivera [Rivera, Michele L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four: Sophie

I’m sprawled across the loveseat, my laptop resting on my legs as another episode of The Blonde Crusader begins. I yawn and rub my eyes. I’m exhausted but I haven’t been able to fall asleep. My mind’s still reeling from the conversation I had with Brynne earlier, but also what it was like to sit beside her, to touch her cheek, to breathe her in, and to see her crooked smile again. I sigh dejectedly. It only makes sense that she’s moved on. Eight years is a long time. It was foolish of me to hold onto even a speck of hope that she’d take me back. I reach for my cell phone, wedged between the cushion and my ass. I stare at the screen, checking for any missed calls or texts from Brynne. Nothing. Please text me.

A knock at my front door spooks me, causing me to jump. I drop my phone and catch my laptop right as it’s sliding to the floor. I let out a shallow breath. Frazzled, I sit up straight and set my laptop down on the side table. I note the time: 2:14 a.m. Who the hell is here at this hour? I stand up and tiptoe toward the kitchenette. I pull a knife from the wooden block on the countertop. There’s another knock. I tighten my grip on the handle of my weapon.

“Sophie?” a familiar voice says from outside my apartment.

My face scrunches up. Aria?

“H–hello?” I call out.

“Sophie, it’s me, Aria.”

What in God’s name does she want at zero-dark hundred? I continue tiptoeing to the door. I leave the chain lock on and open the door a crack. I peek through the small space with one eye. It’s Aria all right.

“What on earth are you doing here?” I ask her.

“Can I come in? I need to talk to somebody.”

Her voice is nasal. Something’s wrong. I internally groan, unlock the door and slowly open it. Aria’s attention immediately falls on the knife in my hand. Her eyebrows raise and her pupils dilate. She looks up at me, her mouth ajar.

“Oh, shit!” I reach behind myself and place the knife back on the counter. “Sorry. I thought you were a burglar or an escaped convict or a serial killer.”

Aria takes a breath and gives me a frail smile. “Uh-huh. Well, lucky for the both of us that I’m none of the above.”

“I’ll say.” I view Aria more closely. Her eyes are bloodshot and her mascara is smeared. I step aside and make a gesture with my hand to welcome her in. “It’s cold out,” I remark. “Get inside.”

Aria nods. “Thank you,” she says and enters my apartment. She looks around the place. “I haven’t been in here since I helped Mom renovate it so that she could put it up for rent. It’s homey.”

I smile. “It is homey.”

Aria turns to face me. “I’m sorry to come over at this time. Did I wake you?”

“I was already awake so no worries,” I say. “What

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