Page 127 of Everything She Wanted

I quickly open the door, before I have the chance to look at my reflection, and step outside.

“Oh, that looks so nice on you.” I can tell her praise is genuine, and I smile, but then something flashes in her eyes as she looks at my arm and bites her bottom lip. I follow her gaze and realize there’s a dark bruise forming where Shaan grabbed me. I put my other hand over it, self-consciously, and she looks away.

“Let me know how the other tops fit,” she says with an extra bit of kindness. I want to cry.

I try everything on and settle on black leggings, the racerback tank I’ve always wanted, and a lightweight jacket. I bring it to the till where Lucy’s waiting for me.

She rings up my purchase and is about to hand me my bag when I see her hesitating.

“Nisha, I hope this isn’t weird, but Nick’s said so many amazing things about you, and well, I’m finishing my shift in a few minutes, and I was wondering if you wanted to grab a late lunch or early supper? I’d love to pick your brain about being a woman in tech.”

I can’t resist supporting another woman and don’t even hesitate. “Oh, of course. That would be lovely. It’s my first time in Victoria and I’m not sure where to even go.”

“Really?” Her eyes bug out for a second. “Okay, I know where we have to go then.” She smiles, and it lights up her whole beautiful face. I try to ignore the resemblance that stares back at me.

“Just give me a few to finish up here.”

“You got it.”

I head over and peruse the bag selection, then I look back through my purchase. It’s nice to buy something and not stress about how much I spent.

Lucy comes up behind me. “Okay, I’m ready.”

I follow her out the door as people mill about, and I catch a sight of a double-decker tourist bus. It makes me smile.

“Where are we off to?” I ask, curious.

“Oh, it’s a surprise.”

I follow her across the street, and we stroll on the sidewalk that overlooks the marina in the harbour. I don’t see any restaurants just yet, but I take in the view. There are mosaic whales and dolphin statues, and even a large Canada sign where people are posing.

Lucy sees me eyeing the dolphin. “I can take your picture if you like.”

“Oh, no worries. My phone’s battery is dead.”

“I’ll use mine and send it to you.” She smiles.

“Okay, sure.” I pose next to the dolphin just as someone walks by and offers to take our picture together.

“Thank you.” Lucy gives the man her phone, and we take a few fun and silly poses. It’s like we’re already friends, even though we’ve only met twice. I deserve a family who loves me. I wish there was a reality where she could be my family.

The man hands the phone back and Lucy shows me the pictures. I look happier than I have in months, even without much makeup. “Make sure to give me your number, or I can send them to Nick, and he’ll get them to you.”

I freeze at her words. “Oh, actually, here’s my number.” The heat rises in my cheeks—I don’t want her to send anything to him. I turned him down to get engaged to a man who’s been cheating on me for months.

We reach a set of concrete steps and I follow her down the walkway, when I finally see it. A shack with two fish on it, one red and one blue.

“Is this it?”

“This is it.” She turns to me. “I hope you like fish and chips!”

“I love fish and chips.”

“Thank goodness because it’s like a big deal around here.”

We make our way to the stand, and luckily it’s not too busy at this hour. We both order the halibut and take our lunch to a counter built into a fence that overlooks the water.

We sit on the stools, and I only wait a moment before taking a bite. The deep-fried goodness is exactly what my hungover body and broken heart need.