“I swear, I didn’t kill her.” Lani paced around her bedroom, raking a frustrated hand through her crimson hair.  “Those freaking cops said they had witnesses who saw me argue with her before she died, but that can’t be enough to arrest me, can it?”

Lani rambled on to her girlfriend, perched at the foot of her bed, as she struggled to piece together what the hell went through those detectives’ minds.  They didn’t actually believe she poisoned the rude woman, did they?  That was absurd! While Lani couldn’t say she was torn up about the woman’s death, she never wanted her killed. 

“If they had enough evidence, they would’ve arrested you last night,” Audrey said.  “I think they’re just fishing for information.”

“What information would we have?” Lani asked.

Audrey shrugged. “They believe the pie that killed her came from y’all’s bakery.  Makes sense how they’d start with you and your dad.  Surely, they’ll figure out what actually happened soon.”

“If they don’t make me their top suspect!”

“Well, if they do, your dad mentioned getting a lawyer.  But I don’t think it’ll come to that,” Audrey reassured her.  “Besides, orange really doesn’t suit you.” 

Lani hid a tiny smile behind her lips. Even while freaking the fuck out over the detectives snooping around their bakery again, Audrey knew just how to lighten the mood when she needed it most. 

“I thought we finally put all this murder crap behind us.” Lani flopped down on her bed, gazing up at the popcorn ceiling above her.  A string of old, white Christmas lights hung above her head, twinkling like stars amid the dim lighting.  

A dip in the mattress beside her made Lani roll over on her side as Audrey wrapped her arms around her waist.  Audrey’s soft hand caressed her cheek, brushing aside loose strands of her hair.  “No matter what happens, I’m here for you.  If I have to, I’ll hide you from the cops in some remote cabin out in the boonies.”

“That sounds terrifying.  Like the beginning of a horror film.” Lani laughed.  

“Okay, you’re right.  Hmm.” Audrey made a face, pretending to ponder over it. “Then let’s make it somewhere out on the coast. I’ll hide you in a beach hut.  Those detectives will never find ya.  At night, we can sneak out to the beach when no one else is around.”

“Sounds like you’ve got this all figured out.”

“Yeah. Seriously though, if they arrest you, I’ll do everything I can to help.  But I really don’t think it’ll come to that.” 

“Hopefully, it doesn’t.”

Audrey’s smile put the dangling lights in her room to shame. Warmth filled Lani’s chest as she leaned in to steal a peck on the lips, letting Lani’s troubled thoughts dissipate into the cool, evening breeze.  God, she loved this girl so much.  How did she ever get lucky enough to find such an angel?