Even riding around with the windows down felt like a relief. I had been getting claustrophobic in the house without realizing just how overwhelming it had become. Eventually, the car rolled to a stop in a shopping center. Of course Lori wanted to shop; I had even called it in my texts to Roman. I gave a weak smile to my sister when she looked over to me for approval, and then we climbed out of the town car. Lori ushered us into the first store in sight, which happened to be a women’s boutique. It felt a little funny to be dragging along Leslie. He had to have been at least forty-five, but it was hard to say because of how leathery his skin was from what I could only guess were years of outside work. He looked young enough, though, for me to be able to tell that his hair had prematurely gone white. Leslie was, in fact, a barrel-chested, towering biker of a dude, and there he was in a boutique with myself and my sister.

Typically, Lori’s need to look at every single rack and item would drive me crazy, but it didn’t that day. No, I appreciated the leisure of it even if I didn’t really care for the style of clothes in the store. Plus, Lori continuously picked up the ugliest things she could find and would hold them up to me and go on a tangent about how it would be the perfect outfit for me. It was pretty funny and somehow didn’t get old as she rattled on about fictitious events she would make up for me and the outfits she selected for her commentary. Maybe I was just that relieved to leave the craziness behind, even if it was only for a couple hours.

After Lori made her couple of purchases, we went along to the next store. Just like in her fashion, we went aisle by aisle, item by item. Then the next, and the next. There were more clothing stores, shoe stores, pet stores, and home goods stores. We had such a joyous time joking about silly or ridiculous items and picking out what we thought the other would like. Even though it might have seemed silly, I found out little facts about my sister that were still new to me. Which colors she preferred, what patterns she found repulsive, and the fact that she would snort if you got her laughing hard enough.

I couldn’t think of the last time I had such an outing like that, just for the fun of it. Especially with my sister or a friend. It was strange to feel a sort of relief from something I didn’t even realize was weighing on me. By the time a couple of hours had ticked by and Lori mentioned being hungry, we had each collected a few shopping bags. I hadn’t picked out much, just a couple of dresses and skirts, but I was content with every item.

We settled on a French cafe there at the edge of the shopping center, electing to sit outside. Leslie sat at the table behind us, wanting to give us room to be ourselves and enjoy our time together.

After the waiter walked off with our food and drink orders, Lori folded her hands under her chin. "So tell me," she began. "What’s it really like being married?"

I shrugged and turned my face to the table, tracing the grating with my fingers in a way to distract myself from the heat spreading across my face. "It’s... I don’t know. You know, I didn’t foresee all this happening. Father sort of thrust me into it. Even when Roman," my eyes shifted about before choosing my words carefully for a public setting, "chose me, I still didn’t think it would be anything but awful. When he said he would free me, I never thought I would want to stay. Yet now that I’m with him, I can’t imagine being without him."

"And you’re sure you’re not just experiencing some sort of white knight syndrome?" Lori teased.

Even though she was only picking, I felt my heart deflate a little. Even the suggestion that the love I felt for Roman was nothing but pure, took a little stab at my heart.

"I mean, maye at the start that was what it was. But I really love him now. He makes me feel safe, protected, cherished, and loved. What more could you ask for in a partner?" I asked.

She raised her hands in surrender. "It beats me. I have no room to talk over here. I’m as single as it gets. I was just kidding."

"I know," I sighed, but then my eyes narrowed. "But don’t act as though you don’t have your eyes on someone."

"I do?" Lori shot back, sounding actually surprised. "And who might that be?"

"Don’t play coy," I chuckled, sitting back in my chair.

"No, really," she urged. "I would love to know who this mystery man is. I’m dying to know."

I thought about letting it go, but I just couldn’t. Maybe I was wrapped up in the vibes of a girl’s day. "You mean to tell me that you’re completely obvious to the way you interact with Marcus?"

She blushed and crossed her arms. "I know I flirted with him that one time, but we’ve already talked about that."

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Oh please, you hang on his every word and find any excuse to be next to him. Don’t be embarrassed, though. It’s cute."

Words clearly meant nothing, her cheeks beginning to burn a bright red. I hoped I hadn’t discouraged her. Marcus seemed like a good, standup guy, I would be happy for them if they happened to get together by the end of it all. Lori was saved by the waiter coming to the table with our coffees and entrees. From where it was getting late, I opted for just a salad in case Roman managed to get home early.

The conversation returned to the light, playful banter we had been partaking in all day as we ate and sipped the delicious cappuccinos. Maybe when things were a little safer, we could make outings a regular thing. I smiled just at the thought of it. We paid the waiter and gathered our bags. With Leslie standing by, we headed back across the shopping center to the car.

"Thank you for today, Lori," I commented as we made the small trek. She shot me a puzzled look and I shrugged. "I really needed this and didn’t even realize I needed it. It means a lot to me."

Lori smiled and hugged me to her side as we kept walking. When we got to an intersection, she let go and pointed to a sign. "Look! Want to go get some?" she asked.

I followed her gesture to see an ice cream shop. It was a chain of ice cream shops that we had visited a time or two in our youth. I grinned at the thought but patted her shoulder. "Maybe another time. We’ll probably have dinner in a little while."

"Maybe after dinner," Leslie suggested.

"We just might have to do that," I grinned at her.

I did need to get out more and that day had been a great reminder. Maybe if Marcus and Ed came back around, we could make a double date of it. Of course with some muscle with us, like Leslie and Kane. It would all depend on what news Roman had from his day, and what had happened that morning. As soon as the thoughts arrived, though, I shut them down. I was not going to allow myself to return to the obsessive thoughts. I was having a perfect evening and I wasn’t going to let myself ruin it with worry. There would be plenty of time for worrying later.

I stepped off the curb to cross the road when a clambering of sounds attacked me in such a way that I couldn’t quite make out what was going on.

Tires screeching, someone yelling, Lori screaming, and a loud huff. After a couple of dizzying seconds, I came to realize the huff was Leslie’s arm locking around me and hoisting me back back.

My eyes fell on the car in front of me. I knew for a fact I had made sure the path was clear. Besides, it was a pedestrian crossing; vehicles were meant to yield to us. The yellow car peeled away, but not so quickly that the passenger didn’t have time to roll down the window and yell, "Die b*tch!"

My heart sank, and my hand went over my mouth as Lori and Leslie asked me repeatedly if I was okay. I knew that voice—it was the same one from the phone calls.

That’s when it all came together. They weren’t prank calls or idle threats, they were real.

Someone wanted me dead.