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.

one of his insiders, plus the one who'd mentioned the rumor, she might be able

no smoke without fire. If such

swallowing my pride or paying

Travis, I hope you can help

not even friends. I could say

and she remembered how I'd rejected her

her expression, it was

help me, we'll be friends," I

out loud. "Is this

it's asking for help," I clarified. Even though I was seeking

too much desperation puts you at

value in having me as a friend. So, if

someone raised in

family, always so confident. Alright 'll try. But just a try, and

my parents, so why target them? There had to be

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

her still-flat belly.

to give up,