“Nah, we’re good,” Rose said, ying along and patting Richard’s shoulder. “He’s just mad that I dumped him yesterday because he couldn’t keep up with me,” she joked and winked at Celeste.
The four of us got up from our chairs, and I could see Celeste frown because she wasn’t able to swindle us out of all our money.
Celeste showed us to the exit of the corridor. She didn’t even ask us toe back. Probably because we didn’t spend enough money.
Ten minutester, we took a chance on the old, creaky elevator because we just wanted to get out of the building. When the doors opened, Ava stepped out.
Her eyes widened as she stared at us. Weirdly, the first thing she noticed was the bracelet on Alexander’s wrist.
She narrowed her eyes and then looked at me. “Hey, is there something you’re not-”
My stomach swooped, and I hurriedly covered her mouth with my hand and dragged her back into the elevator. Alexander, Richard, and Rose followed on after me.
Slowly, I removed my hand and gave Ava a look not to run her mouth in a ce filled with cameras, and she nodded in understanding.
“I’m d I ran into you guys here,” Ava said in an upbeat tone.
I smiled encouragingly d that she had quickly caught on.
“Why don’t I treat you guys to ate dinner? I know of a fondue
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restaurant around here that’s open prettyte,” Ava continued as the elevator doors opened.
Alexander scowled and walked out of the elevator. “No, I have an early inorning meeting.” He turned to Rose and me. “Ava can take you home, then?”
you both
I nodded as my mind spun, trying to process histest mood swing.
We left the building, and Alexander left with Richard without a goodbye. Richard turned and waved at the three of us at least.
“Woah, why is he so angry?” Ava asked as Rose and I followed her to her car.
“He hasn’t been in the best of moodstely,” I answered as I sat in the passenger seat.
“Is he ever in a good mood?” Ava joked while starting the car..
I couldn’t help theugh that burst out of my lips. “You’re not wrong about that.”
Fifteen minutester, the three of us girls were sitting at a booth dipping delicious bread, apples, crispy bacon, and meatballs in warm, gooey fondue.
“You were right,” I told Ava as I wiped the corner of my mouth with a cloth napkin. “This restaurant is amazing.”
While we ate, Ava and I told Rose the summarized version of what was going on with Chole. She was a good friend and I trusted her with the information. Ava and Rose immediately hit it off, and soon, they were talking like old friends.
“I admire your courage to join Celeste just to try to help Olivia,” Rose
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told Ava. “That’s very admirable.”
Ava’s cheeks flushed, and 1 patted her knee.
“You really are a great friend,” I said, and we shared a smile.
To my surprise, Ava sighed as she poured herself more red wine. “Yeah, but even with all the work I’ve been doing, I’m still not any closer to getting Mrs. Windsor to reveal anything that could incriminate Chole.”
Rose skewered a ripe strawberry with her wooden stick and dipped it under the melted chocte fountain. “Honestly, that doesn’t surprise me,” she said and shook her head with a rueful smile. “I bet Mrs. Windsor and Chole don’t even realize that they are the viins in life. The bad guy never thinks they are in the wrong.”
Ava pointed at Rose in excitement. “Exactly!”
At the end of dinner, Ava and Rose exchanged business cards.
“You’re one of the coolest people I’ve ever met,” Ava told Rose. “If you ever need any legal advice, I’ll give you a big discount.”
“You’re so sweet!” Rose said. “I’ll make sure to send my clients your way if they need a goodwyer!”
“Just don’t forget who introduced you guys,” I reminded them jokingly.
Rose took a cab home, and Ava offered to drive me to her apartment so that we could discuss what she learned in more detail.
After I entered Ava’s cute apartment, she turned to me with excitement.
“I know you trust Rose–and so do I–but the fewer people that know about this, the better,” she said and grabbed my hands.
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“Know about what?” I asked.
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