I sat back down in the sofa and put my feet up. I just started to get comfortable when Gigi came in.
“Are the guys gone?” she asked.
“Yeah. It’s just you and me, and I guess I’ll be here by my lonesome in this house when you leave next week.”
She shook her head. “No. Amelia, I didn’t want to tell you this, but days ago, when I cast my cards, I was told that great fortune awaited me in a distant land, and I would be needed to help a friend in need.”
“Okay, what does that mean? Clearly, I must be the friend in need, right? So, you can tick that box.”
“Well, this felt like something new on the horizon for both of us. Anyway, we can work out how helpful I’ll be as the days go by. Until we know, I wanted to tell you that I’m not going back to LA.”
I straightened instantly. “What do you mean?”
“Well, we’ve always lived together. Not that I’m saying we should live together forever, but I was thinking we could live here together. It would be cool, if you want to.” She gave me a tentative smile.
Excitement and hope bubbled within me at the prospect of her staying. Of course I set out to do this all on my own but having her here would be the best ever. I thought maybe it would make it easier somehow. “Of course I want you to stay. I would love for you to, but what about the gallery and art? Your coven is in LA.”
“They’ll be fine with me leaving. We’re supposed to do good. Plus, I think I’m needed here. I checked out a few art galleries, and two have gotten back to me. It looks hopeful. So, I figured I could stay here. You know, until Luc gets back.”
“Three years and one month?” My voice shook as I spoke. I prayed whatever Sinclaire and Max had done helped in some way. I knew Luc was guilty, and it was wrong for me to wish he wasn’t in prison, but that didn’t stop me. So, I was going to be selfish and hope his sentence could be decreased.
“Three years and one month. We can see what happens.”
“Gigi, that would be amazing. Thank you so much. I really need you.”
“You are very welcome. Now, to find out what great fortune awaits. Chicago is the distant land.”
“You know we’re kind of rich, right?”
“We?”
I nodded. “What’s mine’s yours.” Dad had left me all his possessions in Chicago and Italy. I didn’t want to even contemplate what all that meant and what it was worth. I knew it was billions. Billions aside from the business. The business he’d given to Luc, who’d given it to Claudius. That existed outside what I had, and outside of me. I didn’t have to do anything where it was concerned, and I didn’t have to think about it. “Plus, I’m still trying to make amends for what happened to you.”
“No, that isn’t something you have to make amends for. Not one bit. Anyway, I’m over that and thrilled you want to share your wealth with me. I’m here to support you. It’s been a difficult time for you, and I will be here as long as you need me.”
“Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.”
“Again, you are very welcome. How are you feeling?”
“Awful. It’s too much.”
“It will get better with time, and remember, every day that goes by is one day less that you’ll have to wait for Luc.”
That sounded hopeful. As with Max and Sinclaire, I didn’t have to tell her that I would be staying here, but more importantly, I’d be waiting for Luc.
“That gives me something to look forward to.”
“It does. Let me get dinner started before Claudius comes back. He brought a dead squirrel in the house the other night. So gross.” She wrinkled her nose and frowned. “At least he’ll have something to eat when he comes back.”
I rolled my eyes and chuckled slightly. Claudius was quite a character. He had the whole tough guy image down to the T, but he’d barely left my side since I’d come home from the hospital. It was nice.
“I think he kind of likes the squirrels, but don’t tell him I said that.”
“What do you want to eat?”
“Bread.”
“Bread with something else Amelia. You can’t live on bread.”
