Chapter 63. Gunshot

Joan POV

The next few weeks dragged by slowly, and there was no word from Aaron or Rhoda. Speaking of Rhoda, I’d sent countless messages and called more times than I cared to admit, but she never responded.

Maybe she still needed space. Still, it hurt. Rhoda was the closest thing to family I had ever since I left Boswell Child Care. She’d been there for me in ways no one else had.

And maybe that was why I was staring at my phone again, scrolling through my old chats with Aaron.

Unknown: Change that hair color.

Me: Hello to you too, Thompson.

Unknown: The hair. I mean it, kitten.

Me: Keep this up, and I might start thinking you’re obsessed with my hair.

Unknown: I am.

A small smile tugged at my lips despite the ache in my chest.

That conversation played in my head like it had just happened yesterday. I could still remember how Aaron had texted me for the first time.

I never figured out how he got my number, but