The Assassin's Silence: Wren and Trace

Chapter 6: Friendships

Wren

“Calm down, Lore. I’m sure you’ll fix things with Sid.”

I lead my friend into her apartment and wince when she slams the door closed and tosses her bag angrily across the floor, “I’m going to kill that…that…” she sputters.

“Really hot jerk,” I answer, my lip quirking with amusement.

Ellora’s head snaps toward mine, her expression one of disbelief. “Clint is not that hot.”

I scoff, “Um, yeah, he is. Did you not see that red hair and those intense, whiskey-colored eyes? Not to mention his sculpted body and broad shoulders.”

Ellora’s expression darkens, but I can see that she’s thinking about how hot Clint is. He and Trace were the most attractive men at the bar. They exuded so much masculinity that it was nearly intoxicating.

“I thought you liked Trace?” Ellora asks with a note of annoyance.

“Of course I do, but I’m not blind. Both men have this intensely dangerous s****l aura that makes everyone notice. Didn’t you feel it? Most of the women and men in the bar couldn’t stop staring at them.”

Ellora begrudgingly shrugs, “Alright, so they’re both hot, but that doesn’t give that gorgeous asshole the right to get in my business.”

My lip quirks at her slip, “Aw come on, Lore, it’s not that bad. You know Sid always gets in a mood. Maybe you should give Clint a chance? I think he likes you.”

She snorts derisively as she pushes her hair away from her face and begins to pace in place, “That would never work. Didn’t you see Clint scoping out the women in the bar? He’s a player who probably runs through women like he runs through toilet paper. He’s like─”

“Like you are with guys?” I interject. “Come on, you’re not being fair here, Lore.”

Lore walks toward her bedroom and slips off her dress with a huff. Her room is tastefully made with a decorative wall filled with white herringbone tiles, a white shag carpet, a king-sized bed with a yellow comforter, abstract paintings, and large picture windows. I slump down on her bed and slip off my heels, pushing her fluffy decorative pillows out of the way.

“Well, it doesn’t matter either way because I’m looking for more, and Clint has the words confirmed bachelor written all over him. On the other hand, Sid is a financially stable businessman who wears suits and owns a home, and I think he’s ready to propose.”

I have to resist rolling my eyes at my best friend’s take on what a good man is. I blame her mom for always hammering her with the idea that only a successful man in a business suit will make her a wife. For years, Ellora has jumped from one man to another in hopes that she can find someone who she considers suitable. She has messed around with guys like Clint, but she never takes them seriously, which is sad because some have been nice. Unfortunately, the ones she does consider to be husband material treat her like s**t. Sid is no different with his constant criticisms and demands. I tried to tell her he’s no good, but she can be pretty stubborn, so I let it go. However, I’m ready to kick Sid’s ass when he gets out of line.

Before I can say a word, Lore’s cell phone rings. She looks down at the screen and sighs with relief, “It’s Sid. He wants me to come over so we can talk about what happened. He must have cooled down and realized Clint was full of shit.”

My lips tighten at the thought that the asshole will make her feel bad and use her guilt to get something from her. Since she and Sid got together two years ago, the asshole has been stringing her along by waving the proverbial marriage carrot in front of her. But I don’t comment because I know that Lore needs to learn this lesson on her own, even if it kills me that I can’t interfere. Sadly, most of the guys she dates can’t see how incredible she is. Not only is Lore beautiful and owns a successful custom jewelry business, but she’s also very loving. Considering how much she adores and has helped me care for Ainsley, I know she would be an amazing mother.

Jaw tight, I watch as my friend changes into a fresh dress and reapplies lipstick. Seeing that I’m not needed, I rise from the bed and say, “I’m going to bed. Call me when you get home.”

Ellora stops, her expression dimming with some kind of realization, “f**k, I totally c**k-blocked you and Trace, didn’t I?”

I shrug as I walk toward her front door, “I mean, we kissed, but I wasn’t planning on sleeping with him. I barely know the man.”

Ellora gathers her bag from the floor and blows out a guilty breath, “s**t, I’m such an idiot.”

I roll my eyes at her dramatics, “It’s fine, Lore. It’s not like I’m not going to see him again. Trace lives in the same building,” I wave my hand toward the door, “Have fun, alright. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Ellora walks toward me and gives me a slight hug, “I love you, girl.”

Chuckling, I playfully push her away and walk out the door, “I love you too, b***h!”

Once I reach my apartment, I lie on my bed and think about the kiss.

The next morning, I wake up feeling groggy but hopeful. Unfortunately, my mood plummets as the days pass, and I hear nothing from Trace. I don’t even see him around the building. Is he avoiding me? The mere thought depresses the hell out of me.

However, Ainsley still holds hope because she mentions him and teaches me to sign.

Ellora also seems to be acting strangely too. When I asked her about her talk with Sid, she simply shrugged and said they’re still talking it out. I mean, what do they really need to talk about?

It’s Friday, and I have to run to one of my construction projects near Madison Square. I dress quickly and help Ainsley with her morning routine while waiting for Ellora to arrive. Since Ainsley’s school is closed for some kind of Teacher meeting, she’s spending the day with Ellora. Ainsley loves it since Ellora takes her everywhere.

As I’m lacing up my workbooks, my doorbell rings, “Can you get that, Ainsley?” I call out to my daughter.

Ainsley slips on one of the straps of her favorite pink coveralls and walks to the door.

“Hey, Ainsley, are you ready to have some fun?” Ellora squeals with excitement as she strolls inside. I arch a brow at her outfit. Today she’s wearing ripped jeans, a black lacy top, black Doc Martens and black lipstick. She looks like a goth barbie.

Unaware of my thoughts, Ainsley gives her a steady nod, “Yes, I’m ready.”

Rising from my perch on the couch, I grab my flannel jacket and approach them, “So, what are your plans for the day?”

Ainsley buckles her other strap, runs her fingers across her impeccably pressed clothes, adjusts her tight braid, and asks Lore, “What are we going to do, aunt Lore?”

Ellora looks forward thoughtfully, “Well, I thought we’d do some Christmas shopping, then go ice skating and finish by getting a cupcake and some hot cocoa at Sweet Perfect.”

Ainsley gives her an approving nod, “That’s a good plan, aunt Lore.”

Moving to my purse, I take out my credit card and hand it to my daughter, “Here, buy whatever you need.”

Ellora huffs with exasperation, “Hey, why did you give her the card?”

Ainsley rolls her eyes, “She gave me the card because I won’t lose it like you have─ five times.”

Ellora gives us an affronted glare, “Hey, I’m responsible. It’s not my fault that the cards slide out of my purse.”

Ainsley and I chuckle at her feigned offense, “Maybe you should let Ainsley hold your purse in case it “slides” out too,” I retort with air quotes.

“Well, I never,” she glares at both of us, her ponytail swinging aggressively before she turns up her pert nose with a sniff, “I don’t need to take this abuse from you. Let’s go, Ainsley.”

Her dramatic exit is ruined when Ainsley stops her and seriously points to Lore’s abandoned purse on top of my coffee table, “You’re going to need that, aunt Lore.”

I stifle a chuckle, but Lore notices and glares as she grabs her purse and hisses beneath her breath, “I only forgot it because you distracted me, bitch.”

My chest contracts from my suppressed laughter, “Sure you did. Well, have fun, and I’ll see you later. Love ya, guys!”

They both wave as they walk out the door.

Life is certainly not boring when those two are around.