No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"The accident she mentioned... wasn't that the crash that killed my parents?

So, Ernest's dad was bribed to cause it?! That hit me like a ton of bricks.

Trying to steady my pounding heart, I looked at Shirley And asked, "Who's spreading these rumors, and is there any proof?"

She seemed oblivious to my agitation and shook her head lightly. "No clue, just whispers here and there. People around him are scared stiff. If he finds out who's been talking, they're as good as dead." "Can you dig around for more info?" My question made her turn back to look at me.

This time, she sensed something was off and gave a slight chuckle. "Why are you so interested in this all of a sudden?"

I hesitated, but deciding to trust her with the truth, I confessed, "Because the couple in that accident were my parents, and the driver... was my ex-boyfriend's father."

Shirley's eyes widened in shock.

I grabbed her arm, "That's why I need to know if it's true. I need evidence."

Her fake eyelashes fluttered. "You want my help?"

I knew we weren't exactly friends; there was a time she wanted to be friends, and I had turned her down.

deeply ironic. But she resented Lord, and since she was one of his insiders, plus the

fire. If such a

irony be damned. Even if it meant swallowing my pride or paying

hope

then smiled. "We're not even friends. I could

can be petty, and she remembered how I'd

from her expression, it was

help me, we'll be friends," I countered, trying

this how you ask for

Even though I was seeking

any relationship, even friendship, showing too much desperation puts you

a friend. So, if she

someone

But just a try, and can't

Lord had no known vendetta against my parents, so why

Nancy's birthday with Shirley, I asked her as we were leaving, "What are you planning to do about the

touched her still-flat belly. "I'll

she wasn't ready to give up, I