“I’m at a hotel in Washington, DC. My lawyer put me up for the night.”

  “Oh wow.” Patricia grinned. “You already met with him. What did he say?”

  Nadine filled her in on Amir’s assessment of her case. Her sister smiled wider with each detail, and when Nadine mentioned possibly testifying against Alyssa, she became giddy.

  “That b-i-t-c-h is going down!” Patricia wiped her son’s mouth. “Do you hear that, anak? The bad lady is going to prison.”

  “It looks that way.” Alyssa behind bars—the thought was still surreal. She didn’t feel good about it exactly; she wouldn’t wish prison on anyone. But she felt relieved to be done lying. The truth was coming out at last.

  “I still can’t believe you two pulled it off. Bella is brilliant.” Patricia kept smiling as if unable to stop. “When I finally meet her, I’m going to give her so many hugs and kisses.”

  Patricia would adore Bella. “I’ll tell her you said so.”

  “Is she there with you?”

  “No, I’m here by myself.” Nadine frowned. “Actually, I haven’t heard much from her today. I’m not sure why.”

  “Why didn’t she come with you?”

  “I didn’t ask her to. She had to work. Amir wanted to see me right away, and I just got in my car and left.” At the sight of Patricia’s raised eyebrows, Nadine suddenly realized that Bella might have wanted to go with her to Washington. “Oh. Maybe that’s why she has been distant.”

  “You two are together, aren’t you?” Patricia asked. “You’re girlfriends?”

  Was she? They hadn’t discussed labels. “We’re involved.”

  Patricia wagged her finger at Nadine. “If she loves you even half as much as I love you, she would want to be by your side today.”

  Nadine ran her fingers through her hair. “I’m not good at this, Pati. I’ve never… I haven’t dated in years, and men were different. They chased me, and I acquiesced or brushed them off. I don’t know what I’m doing.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t want to lose her.”

  “You should go home. Or invite her to join you. How far away are you?”

  “About three hours. I could make it by ten.” Her duffel was still packed. She could be out the door within minutes.

  “Good. Tell me what happens. I love you, ate.”

  Nadine ended the call and checked her text messages.

  Bella had responded. Okay. I’m at Raelyn’s. Staying the night.

  Oh, great. Raelyn. The hot friend who was “like a sister” to Bella. Nadine flopped back down on the bed and groaned.

  * * *

  Bella hadn’t pictured it like this. She was visibly hungover, wearing yesterday’s yoga pants and a borrowed sweatshirt that said Y’all means all under a cartoon rainbow with a smiling cloud.

  Ideally, she would have a more dignified appearance. But she couldn’t wait another moment. And as the third key—holder of a literal key—she had to do it in person.

  A lone news van was parked in the crowded lot in front of the store, but it was nothing like yesterday’s circus.

  Grady was outside the store, taping a cardboard sign to the window that said, Attention news media: Nadine Bayani does not work here anymore!!

  Bella walked up behind him. “Rough day?”

  He turned and frowned at her. “What are you doing here?”

  Bella pulled the store key out of her pocket and held it out in the palm of her hand. “I came here to tell you that I’m resigning. Effective immediately.”

  Instead of taking the key, Grady scratched the back of his neck. “There’s no need for that. I think I can persuade corporate that you made a one-time mistake. You know, because of her getting in your head.”

  “You mean you want me to stay?”

  “We’re understaffed. It’s not looking good for Jason, and with Nadine gone…there’s no one to cover your shifts.”

  Ah. That explained it. “Well, I’m sorry to hear that, but I need to move on.”

  He frowned. “You found another job already?”

  “No. But I need to do something different. I might go back to school.” The truth was that she couldn’t bear to work there without Nadine. Languishing at Overstock Oasis by herself wasn’t an option anymore. She needed more.

  “Oh, come on. You can work here and go to school.”

  “No, thanks. I’m going to draw fetish porn for money.” She flashed an angelic smile. “It’s just better for my schedule.” She held out the key again.

  This time he accepted it. “Fine. But I’m going to fill your position, so don’t think you can come back when things don’t work out.”

  “You should promote Ashley to third key. She acts a bit ditzy, and her outfits can be…extreme. But she’s worked here a long time. She’s ready.”

  “Hmph. Maybe.” At least he seemed to be thinking about it.

  Bella turned away. A light breeze whispered through her hair as she walked to her car. She was free.

  * * *

  Nadine trudged into Bella’s apartment, her duffel bag slung over her shoulder. The living room was empty, but she could hear the shower running.

  She dropped her bag and sat on the couch to wait. As she leaned back into the cushions, she caught sight of a pencil drawing on the table.

  It was a sketch of Nadine from the shoulders up. She picked it up and studied it. Bella had given her eyes a charged, defiant stare with specks of light dotting the irises. The image was all angles, from the brushed-back hair to the peaks and valley of her mouth down to the chiseled shoulders. Was that how Bella saw her? Hard edges?

  The bathroom door creaked open. Nadine turned to see Bella emerge in a cloud of steam, wrapped in a purple towel that barely touched her breasts. Her cheeks were flushed from the shower, and her eyelids were pink and swollen.

  Bella’s eyes widened. “You came back.”

  “Of course I did. What’s wrong? Have you been crying?”

  Bella tugged the towel higher to cover her chest. “I’ll be right there. I’m going to get dressed.”

  She returned wearing soft gray sweatpants and a sky-blue T-shirt. Damp strands of hair framed her face and dripped water onto her shirt. She sat, and once again they faced each other on opposite ends of Bella’s sofa.

  Nadine held up the drawing. “You’ve made me look rather intense.”

  “That’s you on the day we met. When you, um…”

  “When I snapped at you?”

  “Yeah.” Bella’s lips curved into a slight smile. “I’ll never forget how strong you were in spite of everything.”

  “Bella—”

  “I quit my job.”

  Nadine closed her mouth. Whatever she had expected Bella to say, it wasn’t that. “Why? Did you get in trouble?”

  “Yeah, I got suspended, but that’s not the reason. Grady wants me to come back. But I can’t work there anymore after everything that’s happened. I just can’t.” Bella looked up to meet Nadine’s eyes. “Before you got here, I was just drifting through the days, earning my ten dollars an hour and trying not to think about how bored and miserable I was. But then I met you. The world-famous Nadine Bayani. And then we became friends and roommates, and my life wasn’t small and boring anymore.”

  Bella folded her legs up and hugged her knees. “Even if you go off to the big city and leave me behind, even if I never see you again, I’m not the same person anymore. You showed me that I’m smart—or at least not stupid—and if I get help for my learning issues, I’m as capable as anyone. I mean, look at what we did. We exposed the truth and brought down a US senator. I was part of that. And now realize I can do more than what I’ve been doing.”

  Nadine swelled with pride at the resolve in Bella’s eyes. “Yes, you can. You’re smart and fierce and brave as hell. There’s no limit to what you can do, Bella Clarke.” Then the other words penetrated. “But why do you think I would leave you behind?”

  “Because…” Bella brushed away a tear. “Because you’re getting your real life back. And I’m so happy for you. I really, truly am. But you have opportunities now, and we both know they won’t be in Cheriville.”

  “Oh, Bella.” How could she make Bella understand how precious she was to her? “If we’re going to do this, I need you to talk to me.”

  “Do this?” Bella asked cautiously.

  “I want us to be together.” Nadine took Bella’s hand. “If I have an opportunity somewhere else, I’d like you to think about moving with me. If you’re not ready for that, we’ll figure something else out. I could take a job in DC, visit on the weekends. Something like that. We’ll do whatever it takes.”

  Bella sniffled. “You really want to be with me?”

  “Yes. God, yes. More than anything.” Nadine squeezed Bella’s hand. “I have a second chance in my life, but it doesn’t mean anything if I lose you.”

  Bella launched herself into Nadine’s arms with a force that toppled them over, bodies pressed together.

  Nadine breathed in the scent of Bella’s coconut shampoo as warm lips captured hers.

  “I love you,” Bella said, her voice breaking. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too.” Nadine ran her fingers through Bella’s long, damp hair. “I didn’t know what love was until I met you.” She had thought she was in love with Alyssa, but now she recognized the infatuation for what it was: a manifestation of her own self-loathing that Alyssa used to manipulate her day after miserable day.

  With Bella, it was different. She had accepted Nadine from the beginning, offering kindness when the whole world was treating her like trash. Nadine loved her for that. But she loved her even more for the beautiful, talented person she was.

  They lay on the couch, holding each other close. Bella said, “If you get a job somewhere else, I’ll go with you.”

  “Really? You’d leave Cheriville?”

  “Yes. I’m ready. It will be hard, but I can do anything if we’re together.”

  Joy overwhelmed her. Was this really happening? Everything she wanted, all at once? “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”

  “Besides, you don’t have enough stuff to fill an apartment by yourself.” Bella smiled. “You need my clutter and chaos to make it feel like home.”

  “Indeed.” Nadine shifted, bumping her head against the arm of the couch. “You know, considering all the time we spend on this couch, we should get a bigger one.”

  “Maybe we could go wild and get a chair too.”

  “Hey, now. Let’s pace ourselves.”

  “Good point, good point. Well, in the meantime, there’s more space on the bed.”

  Epilogue

  As the DC Metro train rumbled toward her stop, Nadine noticed the man across from her staring. He was young with shaggy blond hair and green eyes that seemed to ask a question.

  Nadine kept her oversized sunglasses in place. They obscured enough of her face to keep most people from recognizing her. A year ago, they had protected her from harassment. Now they spared her from the gawking and awkward questions she received as a minor celebrity.

  Lately, she was recognized more often because Alyssa was in the news again. She would be sentenced soon, and most legal analysts expected her to receive a minimum of five years. Many people assumed Nadine would be delighted to see Alyssa rot, but it only made her sad. After her experience, Nadine wouldn’t wish a long prison sentence on any nonviolent offender. There had to be a better way.

  A robotic voice announced the train’s arrival at Clarendon. Nadine stood. The man opened his mouth to speak, but Nadine moved past him, joining the commuters streaming through the exit doors and toward the escalators.

  As she walked down the street toward their modest townhouse, she spotted Bella’s car parked outside. Her stomach fluttered with nerves and excitement—she was back from the airport.

  She opened the door. Bella, Patricia, and the little nephew she had never met were there in the living room. “Hello,” she said, her throat thick with emotion.

  “Oh my God!” Patricia jumped to her feet and threw her arms around Nadine. “I missed you, ate.”

  “Not as much as I missed you.” Tears filled Nadine’s eyes as she squeezed even harder. She didn’t want to let go.

  Miko toddled behind his mother, studying Nadine with big, curious eyes.

  Patricia ushered him forward with obvious pride. “Miko, this is your Auntie Nadine.”

  “Hi, sweetheart.” Nadine knelt down to his eye level. “You’re so big! How old are you?”

  Miko glanced back at his mother.

  “Ilang taon ka na raw?” Patricia asked him.

  He looked back at Nadine, holding up two fingers.

  “Great job. Can I have a hug?”

  When Miko nodded, Nadine embraced him and kissed his head.

  Bella sat on the couch, dressed in a smocked sundress, her hair swept up in a high ponytail.

  Nadine sat next to her, greeting her with a light kiss.

  Patricia resumed her seat on the matching armchair while Miko returned to his toys on the floor.

  “I like her.” Patricia nodded at Bella. “She’ll make an excellent sister-in-law.”

  Nadine flashed Bella a look that said I told you so.

  Bella had fretted all week about making a good impression. There was never reason to worry; Bella’s Southern charm worked on everyone. Besides, after her part in exposing Alyssa’s lies, Bella could be the rudest woman alive and Patricia would still adore her forever.

  “How was work?” Bella asked.

  “It was fine. They want me to give a speech at a big criminal justice conference at the University of Virginia.” Usually, the president of the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform gave this type of speech, but they’d asked for Nadine—probably because she was the most famous employee.

  “Ooh, a conference,” Patricia said. “They want you to talk about prison?”

  “No. Well, a little. But it’s more about how we treat people after they get out of prison. How difficult it is to get a job, to find housing. The system sets people up to fail, and it doesn’t help anyone.”

  Bella placed her hand on Nadine’s knee. “Nadine works on ban-the-box laws. She worked on a proposal in Virginia that would make employers interview people before asking about criminal convictions. That way, people at least get a chance to make a good impression.” She smiled at Nadine. “I’m really proud of her.”

  “I am too,” Patricia said. “And I know she’s proud of you too. She showed me some of your artwork over Skype. I hope you’ll show me some more.”

  Bella blushed. “Maybe later.”

  Nadine pointed to a painting on the opposite wall. “Bella painted that in one of her classes.”

  “Oh wow.” Patricia studied the painting, a red and purple sunset over an open field of grass and weeds. “You’re so talented!”

  “Thanks.” Bella blushed even harder. “It’s where I grew up. Out in the country.”

  “Well, it’s gorgeous. I hope you got an A.”

  “I did. It’s just community college, but it’s going pretty well.”

  “As usual, Bella is being modest,” Nadine said. Bella had earned three A’s and a B last semester. Medication and therapy for ADHD had made a world of difference in both her performance and her confidence, but she was still shy about her success.

  “So.” Bella shifted. “Would anyone like a coconut? We have fresh ones.”

  Patricia clapped her hands. “Oh, a treat from home. I’d love one.”

  Nadine stood. “I’ll go open them.”

  Bella pulled her back down to the couch. “I got it. You visit with your sister.” She rubbed Nadine’s back.

  Nadine had never seen Bella open a coconut successfully, but she sat back down. She locked eyes with Patricia, knowing without words that they felt the same. After many long years, they were finally together again.

  Miko walked over to Nadine, holding a small toy car.

  “What do you have there?” she asked.

  Miko looked to his mother.

  “Tell Auntie Nadine what you have.”

  “A car!”

  Nadine hated that she had been in prison when Miko was born. She’d missed so much. But all she could do was move forward. “That’s a very nice car. What color is it?”

  “A blue car,” Miko said brightly.

  Something crashed in the kitchen. “Ow ow ow ow ow!”

  Nadine jumped up. “I’d better check on her.”

  Bella was at the kitchen sink, flapping her hand, but there was no visible blood. The coconut wasn’t even cracked. “I guess I don’t quite have the hang of it.”

  Nadine touched her shoulder. “I appreciate that you tried. But you’d better let me take over before you impale yourself.” She examined Bella’s hands and kissed her fingers. Then she picked up the knife and expertly hammered it into the coconut. A few more strikes, and the coconut fell open. “Next one?”

  Bella handed her a second coconut. “You look really happy.”

  “I am. I’m with my sister. And I’m with you.” Nadine opened the coconut and looked at it. “This is a meaty one.”

  Bella leaned against the counter. “How do you say coconut?”

  “Buko.”

  “Buko. Gusto ko ng buko. I would like a coconut.”

  “You’re getting good.” Nadine gave her a kiss. “I love you.”

  Bella smiled. “Mahal kita.” She picked up a coconut with each hand. “I’ll see you in there.”

  Nadine picked up the third coconut and returned to the living room to join her family.

  Other Books from Ylva Publishing

  www.ylva-publishing.com

  The Love Factor

  Quinn Ivins

  ISBN: 978-3-96324-378-3 (mobi), 978-3-96324-379-0 (epub)