I Killed My Husband
Prologue
CHARLIE
Spotting Ariana as she walks through the café’s front door, I rise up in my seat and wave my hand to get her attention. “Hey, Ari!” I call out, smiling as she spots me and makes her way through the tables in my direction.
It hasn’t really been all that long since we literally ran into each other at the university but already I consider her one of my closest friends. The thought sends a small pang through my chest, reminding me of my two best friends who vanished years ago.
Shaking my head, I focus on Ariana as she waves to the girl behind the counter before stopping at our table. Seeing her smiling sends a wave of relief through me.
“Oh!” I exclaim, clicking my fingers and accidentally cutting off any greeting she was about to give. “Before I forget-” I rummage through my bag and pull out the glasses, setting them down on the table before sliding them in her direction.
Earlier today when I told dad I was heading back to the uni to catch up with Ariana, he handed me a pair of black glasses that I immediately recognised, telling me to give them back to her.
When I asked how his twin managed to steal Eric’s glasses when, as far as I knew, they’d never met, he simply shrugged. The only explanation he would give me was that they had done a job for Ariana the day before Christmas Eve.
“I’m pretty sure these belong to one of your guys.
” I raise a brow and take a mouthful of my coffee, trying not to show the worry that has been building since Dad handed them to me.
They work in security, so my imagination has been running rampant these past few hours over how their paths may have crossed, especially when he refused to give me any details.
“Eric’s been looking everywhere for these!” she says excitedly, picking the glasses up to inspect them but immediately flinches back as I spit coffee everywhere.
All of the questions that have been compiling about how she knew my dads instantly vanish. “What-You,” I sputter, coughing and smacking my chest in an attempt to clear the hot coffee that has somehow worked its way to the back of my throat.
My jaw drops and I stare at my friend. My mute friend.
“Right, yeah…there’s a lot I need to catch you up on.” She winces, taking a sip out of the mug in front of her, looking at me with surprise when she finds it’s chamomile tea and not coffee.
“Yeah, when I asked the chick behind the counter to make sure she doesn’t put soy milk in it she asked if it was for you,” I explain absently, my mind still reeling over the fact that my mute friend just spoke to me.
I continue rambling about how the girl, who I’ve noticed glancing our way since Ariana sat down, knew exactly who the second drink I ordered was for.
“Yeah, that’s my sister,” she tells me before diving into everything that I’ve missed since the last time we saw one another.
By the time she’s finished, most of the customers who were here when I sat down have long since left, new ones in their place.
“Before I forget, I wanted to give you your secret Santa present. I know it’s late, but I mean with everything going on,” her voice trails off and she waves her hand in the air like she hasn’t completely blown my mind from the second she sat down.
Shaking my head, I smile as her words finally register. “Pretty sure you’re not supposed to tell me. Kinda defeats the ‘secret’ in secret Santa.” I wink, taking the envelope from her and pulling out the card inside.
Mia Lee
Private Investigator
I flip the card over, seeing a phone number and email address before rereading the card’s contents. Twice. “What’s this?” I finally ask, adrenaline flooding through my veins as I stare down at the business card in my hands before meeting my friend’s eyes.
“Your Christmas present. I spoke with my sister; everything will be fully funded for however long it takes.” She smiles at me softly, her eyes not leaving mine. “Find them Charlie. I got my happily ever after. It’s time you get yours.”