Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Eva
Kain had a busy schedule at work the following day.
He needed to meet with Detective McNally regarding the dead woman discovered at Etched Square.
Now I’d seen two dead bodies holding bouquets.
Though they weren’t gruesome like the man I’d witnessed at the park when I was younger, they were still gut-wrenching.
I shivered, remembering the abhorrent images.
Unlike the woman holding the red roses, this recent victim held bleeding hearts.
What was the significance of the flowers? Did the killer like flowers?
I’d ask Kain about the murders on Friday when we attended the banquet. A velvety sensation stirred in my heart, making me giddy.
That left me time to catch up on chores.
I needed to wash my comforter, as well as my grandfather’s, and took them to The Laundry Lounge, where Hannah worked.
Though she got her business degree from Boston University, she continued working for her family business, expanding to five locations throughout Massachusetts.
Stori was traveling for work and wouldn’t return until tomorrow. I couldn’t wait to tell her about Kain.
My body tingled, remembering the intimacy we’d shared.
I couldn’t believe what I’d done at his gym.
I’d never had sex during business hours.
This was out of character for me. Something came over me yesterday, and I couldn’t control myself.
I forgot to ask if he’d done that before.
The thought of him pleasuring another woman tainted my mood, so I shook my head, releasing the ugly image.
Then I texted Hannah to let her know I was coming to visit.
I drove to the prime location in Brighton and parked in the shared lot, hefting out two bags stuffed with comforters.
My washing machine was too small for them, and I wanted my grandfather and me to have clean spring comforters for the next few months.
The smell of freshly washed clothes, sheets, and blankets always brought a sense of comfort to me.
“Hey!” Hannah opened the door, her hazel eyes beaming. “So glad you texted me just now. I was about to head home, but now I’m staying for all the deets. Give me a bag.” She grabbed one from my hand, bringing it over to the industrial washing machine.
The gorgeous highlights in her long, curly brown hair glinted in the sunrays streaming through the wide windows of the spacious laundromat.
She always looked good, even in casual clothes.
Today, she sported dark denim with a long-sleeved ivory knit top.
Stori, Hannah, and I met at an evening crochet class several years ago when we wanted to learn a new hobby.
With so much going on in my life, I’d stopped crocheting, but I kept the friends.
The Laundry Lounge stood out from other laundromats because of its solar-powered washers and dryers, which were environmentally friendly, and because of its ambiance.
There was a lounge area with two couches, comfortable chairs, and a coffee table.
Two desks allowed people to work on their computers while they waited.
A TV was secured to the wall, and a bookcase filled with books and magazines helped people pass the time.
Hannah’s team kept the business clean and welcoming.
People could get something to eat or drink from the café next door and come back to continue their laundry.
After starting the wash, Hannah invited me into her office. “Want anything to drink? I’ve got coffee, tea, orange juice, and water.”
“Orange juice, please.” I settled into a cushioned couch by the window.
She poured orange juice into two mugs, brought them over to the coffee table, and sat beside me.
“We’ll need to schedule a girls’ day out soon.” Hannah sipped from her mug, her eyes looking out at the sunny day. “I’m thinking of a spa retreat. Maybe we can try that retreat in the woods that offers hiking, massages, drum painting, and mushroom picking.”
“That sounds interesting. I’m game.”
Hannah smiled, revealing a dimple on her right cheek.
“I’ll ask Stori for her schedule, and we’ll go from there.
” She scooted closer, amusement flashing in her eyes.
“You said something about your grandfather setting you up on a date with a gorgeous titan?” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Does he have a brother?”
A laugh rose in my throat. “No, but he has friends. I haven’t met them though.”
I told her about Kain chasing after the thief and my grandfather inviting him to lunch, which led me to his fitness center, where a new version of Eva emerged.
“Eva!” She poked me in the ribs, making me squeal. “You bitch!” She gave me a one-armed hug. “Wicked vixen!”
“I can’t believe I did that either. You and Stori were right about me having more fun. I’d always played things safe until yesterday.”
“Are you guys dating?” she asked, her eyes twinkling.
“We haven’t discussed that yet. I need to know where this relationship is going.” I looked at her. “I don’t want a repeat of Dennis, you know?”
“Dennis is an asshole. Not all men are like him,” she said.
“Not all men are like Jordan either,” I replied, knowing she had her own experiences with assholes.
“Cheating men are like dirty laundry—filthy, rank, and not worth another wear.”
“That’s for sure.” I chuckled. “We all deserve a fresh start with some clean clothes.”
“So what does he look like?” She pulled out her phone and typed his name in the search bar. “Have you checked out his exes?”
“They’re all older than me . . . and rich,” I said, feeling insecure. “Something I’m not.”
“You’re rich in virtue, kindness, and determination.” She elbowed me. “You have me and Stori as friends, and that makes you even wealthier. Besides, being young has its advantages, missy.” She scrolled through her phone. “Wow, he dated Catalina Bellos?”
“Who’s that?” I asked.
“Miss Massachusetts from five years ago.” Hannah showed me her picture.
I recognized the photos, but I didn’t know who she was. Catalina had an exotic look with dark hair, olive skin, and blue eyes—the perfect woman for a billionaire.
“She’s now a hairstylist at a salon on Newbury Street.”
“I bet her services are overpriced,” I said, wondering when I could buy anything from the luxury shops on that street.
“Some boutique shops are priced fairly, but most of them cater to an elite crowd we’re not familiar with.” She swiped to another page full of Kain’s pictures. “Oh, he also dated Andrea Williams, who’s a fitness trainer with a popular athletic clothing line called Corevexx.”
Andrea was an attractive blonde with a supermodel figure and a successful career. I couldn’t help but scowl at how different we were.
Hannah looked over at me, noticed my mood, and patted my thigh. “You have something rare that these women don’t.”
“What?”
“Your sense of self. You’re aware of who you are and what’s important in your life.
That’s depth and wisdom—a direction steering you from inside.
” She tapped her chest. “These women may seem like they have everything, but I think if you were tossed into a life-or-death situation, you’d survive, whereas they wouldn’t. ”
“You’re saying that because we’re friends.” I laughed.
“No.” She shook her head. “I see the courage in you. Just because you like to be cautious doesn’t mean you’re easily frightened.
Strength comes from within. It comes from taking care of your grandfather, working toward your dreams despite the setbacks, and facing your fear.
Most of all, you’re humble and grounded. I love that about you.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “I’ve got the best friends.”
“You and Stori are my bitches.” She let out a laugh. “Nothing’s going to change that.” She turned her attention back to her screen. Then her eyes gleamed with amusement. “Kain’s a big guy with a lot of tattoos. Wanna tell me how endowed he is?”
“Oh my God!” A laugh burst out of me. “I haven’t seen it yet, but I imagine it’s sizable, like him.”
Hannah and I spent the next twenty minutes catching up on everything else.
Her mom’s health had declined, so she needed to hire more help for the laundromat.
I realized we all had obstacles that added more anxiety to our lives, but our approach to dealing with them made all the difference.
Hannah and Stori were like the sisters I never had, and I was grateful for their friendship.
“People were talking about the dead body found on Etched Square yesterday,” Hannah said. “Sounds like there’s a serial killer around. Makes me nervous walking around by myself.”
“I’m taking self-defense classes at Kessler’s Studio. Want to learn with me? I’m sure Kain wouldn’t mind teaching you too.”
Hannah lifted a sardonic eyebrow. “And interfere with your happy endings? No thanks.” She smiled. “But self-defense class is a great idea. I’ll look at their schedule and see when I can take a class.”
“Wonderful. We have to take initiative these days. It’s scary out there. Stori should sign up too.”
“Oh!” Hannah hopped up from the couch and walked to her desk, pulling out a drawer. “I bought this for you when I took my mom to New Orleans last month, but I keep forgetting to give it to you. Stori has one too.”
She gave me a gold jewelry box, and I shook it.
“I got it from a local artist. She was helping the community raise money for a needy family of six to get a van. Their old car broke down, and they didn’t have enough money for a new one.”
“That’s very thoughtful. Wish there were more people like her in this world.” I held up a pair of gold earrings made of various-sized wires twisted beautifully together. “They’re gorgeous.”
“Aren’t they? The artist also creates enormous sculptures using mixed media. Stori has the same ones in silver.”
I could wear these to Friday’s banquet. Thoughts about Kain surfaced in my head as I planned on asking him if our relationship was a casual or steady one. Nerves stirred in me, thinking about all the women who had come before me. What if he just wanted us to be casual?