It wasn’t this bad last time, but that doesn’t matter; Lola will get over it. We’ve both had some time to cool off, and I can swing by later to say I’m sorry. Lola will take me back again. The last time she caught me with an ex-girlfriend, it took me a day to get back in. That bitch wasn’t worth the headache. After signing off on a supply order, I have a free moment and pull out my phone. There’s no reply from Lola yet. Pissed off, I sent her yet another message. 3:57 PM – I will be coming over later. You better be calmer this time. I’m sweating my ass off, hammering two-by-fours, trying to clear my head. It’s nearly time to knock off, but I still haven’t received an answer from my girl, so I’m texting her again. 5:38 PM – Make dinner. Be there soon, babe. I’m sitting in my truck at six o’clock and about to leave when Daniel rushes over. He looks happier than I do, getting into my vehicle, and his mood bothers me. “Hey, bro. Are we going to the bar?” he asks like always. “Later

My face feels red and hot again, starting Nathan down. I’m scared, covering myself where the bruise is. When Nathan sees it, his eyes falter but only for a moment and he looks away. “Babe. I love you, please can we talk,” he says, stepping one foot in the door. “No, don’t come any closer,” I say, holding my hand like a stop sign. “Lola, please, babe. I’m begging. I’m fucking sorry,” he says, trying to hand me the flowers. I scoff in disgust at his gesture, even more repulsed by him. Nathan’s never given me flowers, only tears and fake apologies—the perfect picture of empty promises from a horrible excuse of a boyfriend. “Babe, talk to me. I love you,” he says, pleading for me to listen. “Don’t say that,” I glare. “You don’t mean it!” “Yes, I do, Babe. Everything is gone, the pictures and the videos. She means nothing to me. I love you,” he pleads. My eyes widened with shock. Nathan’s apologizing for the affair and not beating me. He’s also saying I love you like it can fix this

I run down the stairs quickly and feel a wave of relief. Justine listened and stayed in the car. I unlock the doors, and she anxiously hops out. I tell her what happened, and she stammers with her emotions. Justine eyes glaze with tears, but she pushes them aside and calms herself, now knowing what to expect. The walk back upstairs feels longer, somehow. When the door opens, Lola leaps at Justine and starts to cry. Justine takes over caring for Lola while I listen. I don’t like what I hear at all. When she’s more comfortable with me, I’ll be asking my own questions. To clear my mind, I start doing my job, looking around her apartment. I grabbed Lola’s luggage, seeing it light with only a couple of days of clothes. She intends to come back sooner than I would like. I’m sure Justine and I can convince her it’s unsafe, especially after witnessing everything this evening. First, I discreetly rummage through Lola’s well-organized desk in the hall. I find current utility bills and credit

“Nathan cheats on me,” Lola whimpers, “He drinks and beats on me, and he-” Lola’s talking to me, but she’s also putting it together. I can see it in her eyes; she’s never said these things aloud. I didn’t either till I got the help I needed to get away. Her tears spill over as the words pour out as Lola explains everything that happened. She mentions horrible instances of him hurting her for no reason and forcing her into sex nightly. He even allows his friend to gawk and touch Lola without her permission. Again, this is a situation I know all too well. Lola doesn’t have to give me details as I have lived through all this myself. I open my arms to her when I think she’s finished. She dives into me, crying. I want to kiss her sorrows away, but I hold. “I’m sorry, Lola,” I say, comforting her till she settles. Again, she squirms, wincing out in genuine agony. I immediately drop my hands from her and apologize. But that’s the second time she flinched away at a light shoulder caress.

“But I come in occasionally to get away from the city and to check up on my investment,” Justine says like it’s common knowledge. “Wait, you own this place?” I ask stupidly.” “Silent owner, but yes, Lola,” she says coolly, and I’m shocked. Justine’s sitting on the sofa, watching me so intently. I blush as I’m amazed by everything, but more so by her. I think she’s enjoying my reactions, as she hasn’t stopped smiling at me. “And the restaurant the other night?” I ask, remembering her not paying for the meal. “Yes, there too, again silent. These are two of my favorite places, and I hoped you would enjoy them, as I like sharing them with you,” Justine trails off, making me stop dead in my tracks. I heard that right. She brought me to these places to make me feel better. I’m beyond appreciative of her generosity. Without thinking, I leap forward, kissing Justine. The act makes us both redden as I’m all over her, but I can’t help it. Her lips are so soft and inviting that I could get