Blacken by Alandra Rankin (i love reading books txt) 📕

lover instead of him. His words had been slightly different, it hung in her head as though he was almost angry at himself for being the initial person to guide her into officially meeting the truxen. As if he was to blame for all of it, despite her own choices and his disdain towards them. Was she reading too much into it?

Hearing him talk like this always got a rise out of her, the calm level-headed Owen usually handled facts and evidence. This new rash and hostile man no longer held her sympathies, temper, or emotions.

Avie was in control of herself for the first time.

“I miss you, you know? You were my confidant; someone I could always come to and trust. I’ve never had that before in the twenty-six years I lived until coming here and meeting you. I thought we would see everything through together until old age, and I did love you, just not in a romantic way. You were my family, something I never got to experience. And now, I can’t even get an apology from you. I wanted to thank you, Owen, thank you for the best few months of my life, but also the worst. Thank you for clearing this up. I will see you in December.”

The woman hung up the phone, turning to get up and walk out of the visiting room. She heard him shout something behind her, but she didn’t look back. There was no more looking back at Owen. He was gone. Someone else entirely was taking his space, and she would only move forward.

CHAPTER 23

The floral top was no good, it bunched up in an awkward way, making Avie’s figure look lumpy instead of professional. Smoothing out the fabric, she turned and observed herself in the mirror, trying to find a way to make it work, with little success. She huffed, annoyed, shedding the material before raiding her closet yet again.

“Damn it. What the hell am I supposed to wear now?”

She had been planning this outfit in her mind, having it play out much differently than how it actually looked put together. The woman didn’t own dress pants, and only owned a few skirts that could pass as business—apparently, they didn’t pair well with most of her other casual wear. Avie didn’t think twice about planning a back up.

December snuck up on her, too busy spending her time in the manor with Rhulle, making plans for when spring weather would come, shining sun and green grass becoming a deep yearning while the wind and snow persisted outside.

Her attendance was in an hour, nerves taking the form of indecisiveness over attire.

Grunting, she stomped over to her phone, dialing the memorized number and listening to it ring once, then twice, three times… “Come the fuck on,” Avie muttered.

“Hello?”

“Sandy, I’ve got to be at the courthouse in an hour and I am freaking the fuck out! Do you have a nice blazer or something I can borrow?”

“Sugar? Oh of course! Take some deep breaths and I’ll be there asap!”

Thank the stars for Sandra.

She hung up, causing Avie to do the same while she started to pace, breathing deeply to calm her nerves with mixed results. Rationally, it had only been ten minutes until the knock came on the door, but it felt much, much, longer. She still hesitantly peeked through the spy hole, examining only Sandra on the other side.

“Okay, so, I can’t even think straight, do you think just a white tee underneath? And I should have it open… No maybe closed,” the redhead spoke in rapid succession while opening to let Sandra inside, she was met by a funny expression on the other’s face.

“Sugar, you must be more frazzled than I thought. Talk it out a bit, you got time.”

“What do you mean? I have no sense of business wear, you have more experience than I do,” she was exasperated. Closing the door behind them, the woman looked down to see that she had forgotten to put a shirt on, a black bra making itself known.

Avie sputtered before laughing, “I’m sorry, what a sight I must be!”

The older of the two set the plastic covered grey suit down on the couch, coming over to place hands on shoulders, “You’re alright, s’the nerves. Talk what you’re feelin’ out, it’ll help.”

The young woman swept the beading sweat from her brow, giggling in a nervous fashion, “I-It’s just-I have-I-I…” She breathed, steeling herself, “What if I can’t convey my experience properly? What if they don’t have the evidence to convict? What if he doesn’t get the help he needs?”

Sandra smiled, “You gotta do the best ya can and let them figure it out. The whole situation isn’t cut and dry and there’s a lotta gaps that you and the other witnesses will help draw together. Just tell the truth, speak from the heart, you’re always amazing at communicatin’. People stop to listen to you, you have an ability to make them pay attention and they will hang on your every word while they draw a verdict,” the brunette reassuringly stated, helping to calm Avie’s hyper state.

It all soothed her, giving her strength. Shaking out her hands and legs, she released some of the energy, “Thank you, Sandy. I’ll remember that when it’s my turn, I should- I should really get dressed!”

The pencil skirt she bore was grey, pairing perfectly with the dark blazer Sandra provided for her. After talking out her concerns, she found herself to look professional and ready for court as she sighed with relief at her friend’s words.

“Sandy, I can’t thank you enough, I would have been a wreck the entire trial.”

“Glad I could help, sugar. It will all be done soon with your testimony, I’m sure! You got this.” Her enthusiasm helped pump up the redhead for the inevitable court arrival ticking away.

Smiling, she styled her hair back with a clip to keep out of her face as she studied the final look. Her ring caught her eye, feeling