Addie shook her head. “I bet lots of friends do things like that. If someone threatened Emily, you’d be in New York, right?”
Toni paused. “I would.”
Addie shrugged with one shoulder. “No big deal then, you coming here.”
For a moment, Toni was certain that something was wrong, and she was missing it, so she asked, “So you’re okay with the fact that I can’t love you, and you can’t love me, and we will have to end this if either of us falls in love?”
“Yes.” Addie stood. “I need to run to the ladies’ room.”
Toni stood quickly. She wasn’t going to dress like a “gentleman” and not treat Addie correctly. “I’ll be right here waiting for you.”
Addie leaned close and brushed a kiss over her lips, and then she was gone.
Chapter 42Addie
Addie stood in front of the sink with tears threatening to bubble over. “Damn it. I’m in love with a fool.”
An older woman exited the stall and looked at her. “Aren’t we all? What did he do?”
Addie gave a watery laugh. “Well,shesays we have to break up if either of us fall in love.”
“Hmph.And folks say going gay is easier,” the woman grumbled with a heave of her sizable bosom. “Do you love her already then?”
Addie nodded. “Yes. I think I do. I didn’t realize it until… now. Today. There’s no future, though.” She paused and sniffled. “I can’t give up my career, and she… won’t even think about a future. How do I love someone who doesn’t want my love?”
“You tell her yet?”
“No.” Addie accepted the tissue the woman held out and dabbed at her eyes. “She flew here to be with me this weekend because some guy from work showed up at my door and called me a rude thing.”
“Hmph,” she said again. “The sex good? With your lady?”
Addie’s cheeks flamed. “Very.”
“Least they were right about that when they said it was better to date women.” The woman touched up her lipstick, and then looked at Addie in the mirror. “So don’t tell her. Enjoy your weekend, girl.Once that show of yours airs, everyone and their mama will be wanting a bite of you if you act half as good as you look.”
For a moment, Addie just stared at her. “Oh.”
“Your face is on the side of my daily bus, child, and even if it wasn’t, I pay attention when shows film in my city.” She sounded gentle as she spoke, as if she was afraid she’d spooked Addie. She reached into her giant bag and pulled out a pen and a receipt. “Can I get your autograph since we’re here?”
Addie accepted the pen and paper and wrote, “To the wisest woman in NOLA, love Adelaine Stewart.”
The woman chortled. “I’m going to frame this, Miss Adelaine, and then I’m going to hang it on my wall and host the next book-club meeting.”
At that, Addie laughed. “Thank you for the advice and for cheering me up.”
“You get back out there and show her how fabulous you are, child. Then if she’s fool enough to let you go, you don’t let her know you’re hurt.” The woman patted Addie’s cheek. “Go on, now. Enjoy our fair city. I’ve yet to see a heart that can’t be fixed by the music in this city. At the least, it’ll ease what’s ailing you.”
And Addie decided that it wasn’t a bad plan at all. She was in New Orleans for Halloween, wearing a lovely costume, out to dinner with a stunning woman. There was music on the street and pouring out the door of every bar she’d passed when she’d gone walking. Why shouldn’t she make it a night to remember? A weekend to enjoy?
When she returned to the table, Toni stood and pulled out her chair. “Everything okay?”
Addie gave her a bright smile. “Why wouldn’t it be?” She trailed her fingers over Toni’s cheek and jawline. “No more gloomy subjects, though, okay? You made me cry, talking about your mother’s life.”
Toni gave her a strange look, but then she nodded and seated Addie at the table. When she took her seat she regarded Addie again. “You’re sure? Areweokay?”
For a moment, Addie debated coming clean, but all that woulddo was ruin their weekend. And this time, Addie wanted a whole weekend together with no drama. If it was going to be the last one, she wanted it to be perfect.
It has to be the end, though, or I have to lie about my feelings. I can do it for two days, but after that…
