“Don’t know,” I say tiredly. “I haven’t spoken to the DA since yesterday.”
Yesterday…which will officially go down on record as one of the top five worst days of my life. Although, in truth, today isn’t shaping up to be much better. My stomach’s been in knots so long I’m not sure they’ll ever come undone.
“I’m so sorry you—” He swallows and looks away before snagging my gaze again. “I wish I coulda been there when you found Cash. I know how scared you musta been. If I’d just—”
“Shush,” I stop him. “There’s nothing for you to apologize for.”
He’s always taken too much on himself. Always been the one to shoulder the blame even when it’s not his to bear. It’s one of the things I love best about him.
As soon as I have the thought, I look down at the bloody hangnail on my thumb, resisting the urge to pick at the scab.
Yes, I love him. Yes, I want him. But am Iinlove with him? And if I am, how is that possible since I’m still inlove with Cash?
He reaches across the table to thread his fingers through mine. They’re rough and warm and—
“No touching!” the guard barks.
When Luc pulls away, the heat of his touch lingers.
“Will you come to the bail hearing tomorrow?” he asks with uncertainty in his eyes.
“A swamp full of gators couldn’t keep me from it,” I assure him and feel a bit guilty when his shoulders notch down an inch in relief.
How relieved will he be once I tell him the other night was…not a mistake. I’d never say that. But it was a…miscalculation on my part.I should never have gone to him before I settled my feelings for Cash.
Cash…
After so many years, whatisthis thing between us?
I’ve always looked to my parents’ abiding love during their separation in college to explain why I haven’t been able to let go of him. I’ve held them up as the perfect example of what true love should be. How it shouldabide.But maybe that’s caused me to mistake still being in love with Cash with being in love with theideaof still being in love with him.
Is that possible?
“The nightly news ran a story on Sullivan’s death last night.” I watch Luc closely to see how he’ll react to the world—or at least Greater New Orleans—knowing he’s accused of fatally shooting the superintendent of police.
He closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Damn. I hadn’t considered that.” Then his face drains of color. “Mom…” he rasps.
“Don’t worry. I called her straightaway and explained what happened.”
His expression is one of surprise that slides into curiosity. “What exactly did you explain?”
“Um…everything?” I admit hesitantly. Then I hastily add, “I’m so sorry, Luc. It wasn’t my place, but she was asking all sorts of questions, and it’s all going to come out now that we’ve given our statements to the police. I didn’t want her to think you—”
“Don’t apologize, Maggie May,” he interrupts. “You did the right thing by telling her.”
“Really?” I ask hopefully.
“Absolutely,” he assures me.
“I’m glad you said that, because I told Jean-Pierre and Eva too. They were waiting on me when I got home from the hospital yesterday evening.” As soon as they heard what was happening with Luc and what had happened with Cash, they immediately closed ranks and formed the friend brigade, complete with a bottle of wine and two large pizzas. “And after I filled them in, I called and told Vee and the aunts too. I couldn’t hold it in any longer, Luc. After ten years, it’s like the dam inside me busted, and the truth just came gushing out.”
“I’m happy you were finally able to talk about it.” His voice is soft. His eyes are softer. “And I’m sorry as all get-out that I didn’t realize you thought you were the one to kill—”
“It wasn’t you’re fault.” I’m quick to cut him off. “We were both young and dumb and scared out of our wits. It’s no wonder we misunderstood each other.”
He neither agrees nor disagrees. Instead, he asks, “How’d everyone take it?”
“Better than I thought they would,” I tell him. “I mean, I was prepared for folks to be upset when they found out I’ve been lying to them for over a decade. But everyone’s outrage over Dean attacking me seemed to outweigh any hurt they felt at my deception. Even Vee cried and told me how sorry she was.”
