I have to remind myself Autumn’s not actuallytryingto make Gemma’s death about her—everyone grieves differently.
“Oh, Autumn, no. I’m sure this is a very unfortunate coincidence.” I try to sound convincing.
“It’s awful. Gemma was so smart. And young. And—”
Autumn can’t choke out the rest. She’s racked with sobs. I sither down on the bench and hold her close to me, patting her back and feeling like I want to burst into tears.
I watch the window to Chief Kennedy’s office as Beau gets up and shakes the chief’s hand, signaling the end of the questioning.
I stand, ready to run into his arms. Ready to grab him and tell him we have to get out of here.
“Hey.” Beau greets me with a one-armed hug and a tight smile. “I told you you didn’t have to come.”
“As if that was going to stop me,” I tell him. “What did they say? What happened? What’s going on?”
“Let’s get outside,” Beau soothes, giving Autumn a polite wave and ushering me toward the door.
“Tippy said it was a hit-and-run? Someone just left her in the alley behind Marcus’s restaurant?” I ask as we push through the front doors and into the heat of the day. “Whathappened?” I ask again.
“I don’t know.” He sighs. “Tippy, Shep, Ford, and I were hanging out around the bar, talking. Gemma made a last call for drinks around twelve-thirty.”
“Were Marcus and Autumn still there?”
“I think they were in the back wrapping up some party logistics. I ordered a ranch water, but she said the bar was out of limes. She went to the kitchen to grab more. I told her not to worry about it, but she insisted. And I don’t think she came back after that. Then someone pulled out the Fireball, and we decided we had had enough to drink.”
“And then shedied?”
“After her shift was over, they think.” He shakes his head. “I have no idea what happened. And they wouldn’t tell me anything except that she was found in the alley.”
A hit-and-run? It’s not good enough. Gemma deserves more. She should still be here.
There’s a pained look on Beau’s face, like he can’t stand to see me hurt. He pulls me into a hug, and the even thump of his heartbeat gives my body something solid to hold on to. “I’m sorry, Este. I know how much you cared about her.”
I close my eyes and hug him back.
“Meet you at home?” Beau says as he lets go, fishing for his keys in his pocket.
I nod and climb into my own car, but there’s a pit in my stomach that keeps me from starting the engine.
Was Gemma in trouble? Did I miss something?
Gemma would’ve come to me if there was something going on. She would’ve told me.
I’m still sitting in my car when Chief Kennedy walks outside with Autumn, and they both stride toward her Lexus SUV. The two of them slowly pace the length and width of Autumn’s car, checking every side for damage. The conversation looks friendly enough for what it is, and I have to imagine they’re looking at everyone’s cars for signs of an accident.
Because they have to. Because Gemma’s gone.
I’m alone in the quiet, and a chill courses through my blood. I’ve been here before, watched life upended in a blink. My hands start to shake, and there’s a scream trapped in the back of my throat. Hot, angry tears burst from my eyes.
I can’t remember turning on the ignition, but suddenly, the car is streaking toward the edges of Winter Park to Gemma’s apartment. When she first moved in, I brought her a bottle of wine and a houseplant. It’s been a while since then, but I still remember how to get to the worn apartment building on Aloma Avenue.
I don’t know what I think I’m going to find there. Not her, certainly. Or maybe that’s not true.
Maybe if I see her apartment, my brain will be able to catch up to the fact that she’s not there.
Because in my mind, she’s not gone. Behind my eyes, I imagine Gemma the way she’s supposed to be. Wearing my lucky dress and those new shoes, striding into her job interview with her head held high.
Chapter 6