Over Before She Loved Me novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: Barrett Knows

Joelle made it to the stall before her knees gave out.

She was sick until there was nothing left.

Then she sat on the cold tile with her forehead against the door and breathed.

Her hands were shaking.

She had done it.

She had put the whole debt on the table and walked out with her spine straight.

She had not looked at Dustin once.

She had not dared to.

When her legs felt steady, she washed her face and rinsed her mouth with water from the tap.

Her handbag was open on the counter.

The pharmacy bag had slid halfway out of it.

She shoved it back in and pulled the zipper shut.

She came out into the lobby, and Barrett was standing at the end of the hall holding a glass of water.

"Drink," he said.

"Thank you."

"That was something in there. I've never seen anyone shut Dolores up."

"I didn't do it to shut her up."

"I know." He gave her the glass. "You did it for yourself. I'm proud of you."

She drank half of it.

It was only then that she saw what he was holding in the other hand.

A white pill bottle.

The label said Prenatal.

She must have dropped it when she came out of the stall.

Barrett turned it slowly so she could read her own name.

"Barrett."

"I found it by the door."

"Give it back."

He did.

He didn't let go right away.

"Nine weeks?"

Her voice came out a thread. "How do you know that?"

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