The Gritty Truth (The Whiskeys Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor #7) - Melissa Foster Page 0,119
of the car that had hit Roni, the police had enough evidence to prosecute, and hopefully put him away for a very long time. That gave her a modicum of relief, but not enough to diminish the hateful anger that was eating her alive.
She’d never been good at harboring negative emotions, and she needed to find a way to deal with or get rid of them. She had no idea how to do that because there was no way in hell she’d forgive that monster.
The only thing she knew for sure these days was that she’d been right to believe in Quincy, and she was lucky to have so many people in her life that cared about both of them. Angela and Joey had dragged her out with them last night to spend Christmas Eve at Angela’s parents’ house. Roni hadn’t been feeling festive, and she hadn’t wanted to go, but in the end she was glad she had. Angela’s boisterous family had known her for so long, they knew just how to make her laugh, and she’d needed that. Though coming home to an empty apartment had left her sad and lonely once again.
She finished her hot chocolate and was putting her mug in the sink when a knock sounded on the balcony door. She glanced at the clock on the stove, wondering who would show up at seven o’clock Christmas morning. She crossed the room and peeked between the curtains. Angela waved from the other side of the glass. She was wearing a red Santa hat and holding a plastic container. She lifted it, doing a happy dance as Roni opened the door.
“Merry Christmas, sugarplum! It’s freezing out here,” Angela said, pushing past her. She eyed Roni with a disturbed look on her face as she set the container on the table. “What do you have going on here?” She waved a finger at Roni. “A little Britney Spears hot mess mixed with Billie Eilish style and Helena Bonham Carter hair?”
Roni looked down at her outfit and said, “These are the sweatpants Quincy lent me the first night I stayed over, and this is his softest T-shirt, and…” She reached up and touched what had been a bun last night but was now a tangled mess hanging off the side of her head, and she and Angela both laughed.
“Aw, Roni. I’m sorry he’s not here.” Angela hugged her. “I’m sorry. I know nothing can replace Quincy, but at least you have the world’s greatest best friend, who made you cinnamon buns.” She took off the top of the container, releasing a mouth-watering aroma.
“You are a goddess. Thank you.” Roni reached for one. She took a bite, and the sweet treat was exactly what she needed. “Mm. These are the best.”
“I made them with extra love, which means extra cinnamon and frosting.” Angela took off her coat and said, “Aren’t you going to see Gemma and the kids this morning to open presents? I’m not sure they’re going to appreciate your new look.”
“I have a few hours before I need to be there.” Roni grabbed plates and napkins, and as they sat down, she said, “Shouldn’t you be with Joey celebrating Christmas?”
“I loved him up and he went back to sleep. So here I am, with my girl.” She pulled a small gift out of her pocket and set it on the table. “Merry Christmas!”
Roni popped to her feet, feeling happier already, and went to the tree to get Angela’s gift. “Merry Christmas to you, too.” She handed it to her and said, “It’s for you and Joey.”
“Count of five?” Angela said as Roni sat down.
Roni nodded. They’d been counting to five instead of three since they were little, though neither could remember why. They counted together, “One. Two. Three. Four. Five!” and tore open their gifts. Roni watched Angela open hers rather than taking the top off the gift Angela had given her.
“Whoa.” Angela withdrew the red-and-black Leather and Lace camisole and panties from the box. “Roni, I can’t accept these. I’ve seen their stuff online. They’re really expensive.”
“Dixie and Jace hooked me up with a huge discount. I even got something for myself, for when Quincy comes home.”
“In that case, I love it. Thank you.” Angela leaned forward and hugged her. “Open yours.”
Roni opened the box and withdrew a key chain that had half of a best-friends heart. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Angela reached into the pocket of her sweatshirt and placed an identical box on the table.