At First Hate by K.A. Linde
Savannah
Present
The doorbell rang at Gran’s. Maddox had a key, and there was no one else I wanted to see. We were thankfully past the point of strangers showing up, claiming to be friends with Gran and handing me dinner or dessert. They all wanted to talk about how much they loved her. I didn’t have the bandwidth for one more sorry for your loss.
I peered through the peephole and gasped, wrenching the door open. “Lila, what are you doing here?”
My best friend rushed inside and wrapped her arms tight around me. “Surprise!”
“I mean, I love the surprise, but it’s football season.”
Lila worked as a physical therapist and trainer for the Falcons. Every fall was a complete shitshow. I usually saw her on her bye week and then not again until Christmas or even after New Year’s. The fact that she was here on my front step in the middle of September was baffling.
“Maddox called,” she offered sheepishly.
“What? Why?”
“He said that you’re a wreck and need some girl time. I took two days off to come down. I have to be back for the game this weekend, but I wanted to be here for you. I love you.”
“I’m glad you’re here, but I’m fine.”
“Uh-huh,” Lila said. “He said you’ve seen Derek.”
I wrinkled my nose. “That little snitch.”
“Hey, I’m not opposed, but I know how he hurt you in the past.”
“Plus, he’s Ash’s best friend?”
She grimaced and fiddled with her nails. “How’s he doing?”
“How would you be doing?”
She bit her lip and nodded. “Right. Well, my fault. I guess I don’t have a right to wonder how he’s doing.”
“You loved him forever. It’s not surprising, Lila.”
“Anyway,” she said with a sigh, “I’m not here about me or Ash. I’m here for you.”
“How’s Cole doing with you down here alone?”
“He’s fine,” she said with a wave of her hand. “We’re happy. But you’re not. Now, get in my car. We’re going to get Leopold’s.”
I could never say no to Leopold’s. So, I grabbed my purse and followed her outside. We drove downtown, getting a coveted parking spot on Broughton, directly across from the ice cream parlor. Unsurprisingly, there was already a huge line, even in the middle of the week during school. It was outrageous but worth it. We chatted about unimportant things, like how Miss Alicia was finally talking about retiring. She’d had the studio since she was in her twenties, and we were all surprised she still ran it, let alone still teaching.
When I had my mint chocolate chip cone and Lila had one with strawberry and cookie dough, we headed up Abercorn toward Reynolds Square. We stood in front of Pink House and licked the ice cream in the shade.
“You know I’ve never eaten there,” I said.
Lila laughed. “How have you never been to Pink House? It’s iconic.”
“I never moved back like you did. It just never happened. I feel like it’s too hyped for me now.”
“You would think that. It’s delicious. Maybe Derek can take you,” she said with a wink.
I snorted. “Don’t even, Delilah Grace.”
“How are you really doing with everything? Gran?”
“I don’t know.” I sighed heavily. “Sad. I miss her. She was my go-to person. I have you and Josie—when she’s not busy—but it’s not the same. I used to call her and tell her everything that happened to me. She’d always have the best, most unorthodox advice. You know, she once told me that the most important lesson to learn was to get back at someone who thought they could take advantage of you.”
Lila burst into laughter. “Oh, Gran. That sounds just like her. I miss her laugh. She had that big, hearty laugh when she found something really funny.”
“Me too. Or all the silly nicknames she gave us.”
“Chickadee,” Lila said. “That was my favorite.”
“Yes.”
“She was a great woman with a long, beautiful life.”
“She left a lasting impression.”
Lila arched an eyebrow. “When were you going to tell me about the will?”
I groaned. “Did Maddox tell you?”
“That your mom and aunt are contesting it? Yes. How horrible!”
“Yeah, it’s bullshit. I spoke with an attorney and the executor of the will. We have to get evidence to disprove whatever BS my mom comes up with for her reasoning. Then, go to court and wish for the best.”
“And Derek is their attorney?”
I nodded. “His dad made him do it.”
“Huh.”
“He’s going for partner, I guess.”
“Does his dad know that you two…”
“He met me once, but it was in college. I don’t know how much he remembers. You didn’t even know.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “You’ll never live that down either.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. I’m the worst. But a lot of it is just a waiting game.”
“Have you asked Derek about the will?”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk about it with him.”
“He can’t give you the scoop?”
“No way. You know how he is.”
“Yeah, I guess I do.” She put an arm around me as we continued toward Bay Street. “Well, I’m sure you’re going to win. Gran wanted you to have the house. That’s all that matters.”
“I hope you’re right.”
We walked out onto Bay when I jerked to a stop. Stepping out of an open doorway was none other than Derek Ballentine. He froze as the door to Ballentine Law closed shut behind him. I’d completely forgotten that this was where the practice was. I’d only ever been here once before.
“Marley,” he said evenly. His gaze shifted to Lila, and he narrowed his eyes. “Delilah.”
“Hey, Derek,” she said with a smile.
“What are you doing here?”
“Checking on Marley.”
He looked around as if Ash Talmadge might jump out at any second. “Just Marley?”
“Yes,” she said flatly.
“It’s fine,” I said, jumping in. “She’s here for me.”
He nodded. “All right.” Then, his gaze swept to mine, and something shifted there. “Can I talk to you a minute?” He looked to Lila and back. “In private?”
“Uh…”
“It’s fine,” Lila said easily. “I’ll wait here.”
“Sorry,” I said to her and then stepped aside with Derek. “What?”
“What is she doing here?”
“I told you already.”
“She’s not going to see Ash?”
“No!” I ground out. “Jesus, she’s not stupid. If you just want to talk about that, then I’m going to go back to my friend.”
He reached out for my arm. I looked down at it in surprise. “That’s not why. Look, were you serious about helping with Ash?”
I blinked at the change of subject. “Yeah.”
“His birthday is next week, and I wanted to get him out of the house but not something like… the yacht. Want to come with us?”
I met his gaze head-on, trying to find the Derek-sized play in all of this. But he seemed genuinely concerned for his friend. And I was equally concerned about Ash.
So, I finally nodded. “Sure. I’ll come out.”
He grinned, and my body melted at that look. “Great. I’ll text you the info.”
I stepped back quickly. “Sounds good. See you around.”
Then, I hastened back to Lila.
She arched an eyebrow at me. “What was that about? The case?”
“Ash’s birthday.”
Lila bit her lip. “Oh. Right. That’s next weekend.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, we’re not here about my worries. Let’s wander around and talk about Gran. River Street?”
“Definitely,” I agreed.
I followed my friend down the steep steps and reminisced. So many people had wanted to talk about missing her. It was another thing entirely to remember her. That made it worse and also somehow better. It was just what I needed.