Chapter 72

Emily’s POV

Why do they make you pick between sharp or easy to use when buying a razor? Why not both? I throw both in my basket, unable to make a decision. Whatever one I don’t like Renee can have the other.

Who knows how long she’ll stay.

The market is busy for a Friday afternoon, but I guess everyone is out shopping for their

weekend nights. I stroll up and down the aisle, mindlessly making notes of the things I know I need and other things that I want that could be considered needs.

Like this face mask. My skin has been rather dry with the cold nights as of recently. Thirty-five dollars? How can I reason with myself to get this.

“Emily?” Someone asks. I freeze. I know that voice. I turn around, dropping the face mask on my basket. Game-time decision.

“Eric,” I greet, flickering my eyes over him and wrinkling my nose.. “What are you doing here?

Don’t you hire someone to do all your shopping?”

“I want to talk to you about Renee,” he says, completely disregarding my jab at his rich tactics.

“Wait a second,” I say realizing something. “How did you even know I was here?” I ask crossing

my arms and turning to fully face him. His face turns into a smug grin.

“That’s what I hire people for,” he says and a shiver goes down my spine. This must be how Renee feels all along he time. Watched, observed with no where to hide.

Eric’s a fool if he thinks I’m going to help him get any closer to Renee than he already is. I must have a look on my face because Eric’s expression changes to one of almost desperation. I never did have a good poker face.

“I’ve made a mistake. A huge one, I need her back,” Eric says, each word heavy with guilt. I narrow my eyes down at him. I’ve never expected to hear those words from Eric. Which is why I

continue to eye him suspiciously. Something else doesn’t add up either.

“You know I was the one who helped her create a new identity when she was running away from you in the first place, right?” By the way Eric’s jaw goes slack, I take it he did not know. I smile proudly at that. “Why come to me then?”

Eric gathers himself after getting over the shock. “I just know she’s staying with you, and you might be the only person who can get through to her,” Eric says and I nod slowly. It is true.

When Renee and I were in the orphanage together as pups she didn’t so much as change her hairstyle unless she got my approval.

“Excuse me,” a little old lady says and scoots through Eric and me. Eric steps in closer and I take a step back so my back is against the shelving. Not that I think he’d be stupid enough to try anything to hurt me where there’s so many witnesses, but you never know. Then again, this old lady likely wouldn’t come to my defense if Eric did try anything physical.

Then without warning Eric drops to both his knees and brings his hands together in a pleading prayer position. “Emily, I’m begging you to please help me.”

The old lady looks between Eric and me and then brings her oversized purse up to her shoulder before leaning into me. “I wouldn’t marry a man who proposes to me in a super market,” she says and clicks her tongue as she strolls past us once again.

I stare at her dumbfounded. “Okay, get up,” I throw my hands on Eric and try to hurry him rise to his feet. If he didn’t before, now he has my attention. “You went seven years without Annie

without so much as even looking for her, now it’s been a week and you’re on your knees?” I lay this out for him so he can hear how crazy it all sounds.

Eric nods. “Like I said, I’ve realized my mistake and besides I thought she was dead before.

That doesn’t mean a day didn’t go by where I didn’t think about her, where I had to shove the ache in my heart way down,” he locks his eye son to mine and I search his looking for a hint of dishonesty.

“Did you know I got migraines every year in June, the month I thought she died? That’s when I believed she was truly gone. Now that I know she’s alive and she’s just choosing to be away

from me, I can’t sleep and every part of my body is screaming for her. My mind, my heart, my hands. All of me wants all of her,” Eric says almost at a near pant.

I peel my eyes away from him and only now notice that a small crowd has gathered around the ends of the aisles to look at what they think might be a prodigal gone wrong.

“Okay, okay,” I say flustered. “I’ll help you,” I tell him. I watch as relief physically washes over Eric, his shoulders relax and he hangs his head as though exhausted.

“Thank you,” he says.

“Don’t make me regret it,” I warn him just incase he forgets that he isn’t the only one capable of grand acts, I was the one who helped Annie disappear after all.

Later that evening, Renee and I are debating about what Rom Com to watch. I vote for 27 Dresses but Renee is insisting on My Date with the Presidents Daughter.

“That one’s just so old,” I whine and set the popcorn down on the coffee table. Annie looks up at me from sitting crossed leg on the floor.

“It’s a classic,” She corrects and I hold my hands up in defense and toss a few pieces of popcorn in my mouth. “Wait, shh,” she says and looks behind her.

“I didn’t say anything,”

“Shh!” Renee climbs to her feet and frowns. “Do you hear that?” She asks.

I try to listen. “Hear what?” I ask, but as the words leave my mouth I pick up on what she’s referring to.

At the same time we look in the direction of the large bay window. I take the indicative and cross the room. I pull back the heavy tan curtain and instantly bring my hand to my mouth.

“What? What is it?” Renee asks impatiently.

“Uh,” I begin and smile, still facing the window.

Renee appears next to me. “Oh my God,” she says.

Below the window, on my front yard is a lone man wrestling with some metal stakes, trying to pitch a tent. Beside him is a small stereo playing “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley.

“That’s our wedding song,” Annie says like she can’t believe it. I snort.

“That’s ironic,”

Renee shoots me a death glare. I again hold up my hands in defense.

“I’m not talking to him,” Renee says and shuts the curtain. The sudden movement causes Eric to look up. He sees me and we lock eyes. I give him a slight nod, signaling that Renee saw it.

He gives me a thumbs up as though to ask if it’s working, I shrug. I think it’s too early to tell.

“What are you doing?” Renee asks. I turn away from Eric and look at Renee who’s staring at me like I’m crazy, like I’m the one camping outside someone’s house. “Does he see you?” Renee asks.

“Oh, he sees us,” I tell her. “And he knows you saw him,”

Renee throws her head back and grunts. “I can’t believe this,”

I move away from the window and grab the popcorn off the table. I curl up onto the couch and smile. “I guess o know which movie I’m watching,”