#Chapter 20 Renee

I didn’t bother hiding the flat irritation that pulled at my face the second I saw her. She scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Renee. How could I not come see your new place?” She held up a tiny gift bag. “I even brought a housewarming gift!” I had half a mind to ask if it was poison, to tell her to go away, but I was headed out, and I didn't want to have to worry about her being here when I got back. It was better to get rid of her before I left. Though telling her to go away had never quite been effective enough to make her stay away. With a deep sigh ,I braced myself and opened the door. The side of her was more irritating than I had expected. Dressed in a floaty cream blouse and high-waisted jeans like she’d just stepped off some influencer’s story, she flashed a bright smile, all teeth and false charm. Her lipstick was too perfect, her posture too casual, and her smile too wide. It didn’t match the glint in her eyes. And just like that, all the tension I thought I’d shaken off