Page 40 of Until He Confesses

“Can you pick the things you want?” I asked and she widened her eyes.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Trust me, I’d have said yes but Callie will kill me, so I’ll say no."

I didn’t want to get into an argument, so I looked around and then asked.

“Can you recommend the most expensive thing here that I’d be able to use? That way you’ll have it on your commission tab.”

Her smile grew even wider, however, I realized she was not going to accept this either, so I started to look around myself.

“I’ll pick whatever I see and pay for it,” I said, and she immediately came to my aid.

“For men, all I can recommend are colones and perhaps a surfboard or a bike?”

I had no need for these.

“Recommend something for your mom or yourself,” I said. “After all, we used to be friends. We’re not strangers.”

She shook her head one last time.

“I’d love to, but it would feel like exchanging information or worse even betraying my best friend for a commission. I already feel that way for revealing something that she’s said in private to me so I’m going to refuse.”

I understood her and didn’t want to force her any longer, so I thanked her and left the store.

17

CALLIE

Iwas shocked to see Anna at the door.

For the past minute the doorbell had been ringing nonstop, so I’d had to abandon the apple pie I was putting together and hurry over from the kitchen. My annoyance shot through the roof when I saw that she was the one at the door.

“What are you doing?’ I asked and she sighed.

“I wanted to see how it feels to be you.”

“What?”

Pushing me aside with one shoulder, she walked into the apartment, threw her purse on our coffee table, and sat down.

“Guess who came to my store today?” she said and although a part of me suspected where she was going with this. I still listened nonetheless.

“Who?” I asked as I returned to the kitchen.

“Your ghost.”

I looked up at her words and frowned.

“How the hell did he even find out where you worked?” I asked and she sighed.

“He has the means to so why is that a surprise? You both seriously need to resolve what’s going on with yourselves so that the rest of us can have peace.”

I continued with my pie and resolved to ignore her but eventually, I couldn’t.

“It’s wrong of him to disturb you at work,” I said, and she gave me a disapproving look.

“Says who? I’m his acquaintance too.”

“That he hasn’t cared to seek out in almost ten years? Why did you even give him the time of day?”