The words felt like a warning, and Toni had a fleeting thought that her baggage was eventually going to be the cause of their end. She could only hope their inevitable parting would be mild enough that she could keep Addie as a friend at the end.
What if I can’t? What if she hates me? What if occasional days together stop being enough?
“Halloween in New Orleans,” Toni said, pushing her flare of panic away. “Shall I pack a costume for you, too?”
Addie laughed. “Idohave a few Victorian dresses. All I’m missing is a woman in a good suit. Know anyone who might be willing to escort me?”
“Incidentally, I have just such a suit.” Toni wasn’t sure how she’d gotten this lucky. Addie was everything Toni didn’t think could exist in one person, and she continued to be a historian’s dream woman.
My dream woman.
Maybe we could keep this up at least until the show’s season is filmed… or maybe until they decide about a second season.
Before disconnecting, Toni said, “Promise me you’ll be careful, Addie. The thought of something happening…” Her words trailed off, because Toni couldn’t even pronounce the rest of that thought. “Security can escort you if you go anywhere. I can pay them for—”
“You’re not my sugar mama, Toni. I don’t need you to pay anyone or do anything. Philip was a drunk jerk. That’s all.” Addie sighed. “I’m not your responsibility.”
But I want you to be,Toni admitted to herself.I really need to get my feelings in check because Iwantyou to be, Addie. And I want to be yours.
Aloud, though, all she said was, “I’ll see you in the morning, love.”
Chapter 40Addie
Knowing Toni would be on the set today had left Addie with goliath moths in her belly. She was fine when the cameras were running, but when they were between takes or between scenes, Addie felt like her head was on a swivel. She scanned the people in the streets, hoping to see Toni.
She ought to have been here by now.
“We have an idea that we may want to run with,” Marcela said as she approached Addie midmorning. “I wanted to bounce it off you.”
Addie looked her way. “You’re the boss.”
“Yes, but I don’t want to spring anything awkward on you.”
Her tone made Addie pause. “Okay…”
“We wanted a cameo with Toni,” Marcela continued. “So I was thinking we can have her alongside the witness you meet. Can you do that without… complications?”
Addie felt like she was glowing. “Of course.”
“Without grinning the way you are right now? It would look odd if you were all wide smiles through the whole scene,” Marcela added in a teasing voice.
“I will definitely try.”
“It’ll be good promo footage to have her in the shot,” Marcela added, glancing to a commotion across the street. In a lower voice, she muttered, “And hopefully keep her from punching Philip.”
“What?” Addie stared at Marcela. “How did you—”
“Later,” Marcela said. Then louder, she called, “Someone bring me Darbyshire.” She pointed to where Toni was talking to a security guard at the perimeter.
“I’ll go!” Addie turned to head across the street.
And all Addie could do was force herself to walk toward Toni, trying to be mindful of the fact that her heavy dress was not meant for speed—even without the corset. Thankfully, Toni had argued that Addie and the rest of the cast be free from those if they wanted.
Toni was in a Victorian suit, not the same one Addie had seen, and she was stalking across the street with a sort of focused purpose that made Addie’s chest as tight as if she were still wearing a corset.
“Adelaine,” Toni said as they met in the street.
Addie stopped a foot from her and stared at her. “You’rehere.”
