“I’m still here,” he said, reaching for her hands. When she pulled back, he looked stricken. “It’s me, Sassy. I’ve always been here for you. Even when you went to New York, I waited for you to come back. Iknewyou would come back.”
She swallowed this new knowledge. “Maybe. But I can’t stand for your hero complex to get in the way anymore.”
“My what?”
“You always have to be the hero, the one who sweeps in and saves the day. You think you’re the only one who can fix things when they’re broken and to hell with anyone who gets in your way.”
“That’s not true!”
Tonight felt like a betrayal. Worse, it felt like the ending of something. That rush of feelings she’d felt when she’d accepted Margot’s wishes that they would go to the fundraiser as a couple. That this was maybe a real date and they could start over as more than just friends.
He’d been reckless. She’d been foolish. Now they’d both face the consequences.
Glancing around the gallery, she noted the investigation already in progress, the forensic team, the photographers crowded inside the storeroom. She avoided the curious looks sent her way. The catering staff needed help navigating the cleanup with the police in house. If she was going to answer Detective Finbar’s probing questions, she would do so tonight. She’d need to give him access to her computer and files, every business transaction she had on record, if she was going to clear the name of her business anytime soon.
She glanced at her cousin and Chay. “Thanks for staying. But I can handle things from here.”
“Are you sure?” Jacob asked. “I don’t mind staying longer.”
“I’m a big girl,” she reminded him and softened the words with a thin smile. “Go home. I’m sure Noah and Uncle Sam are going to have questions.” She looked to Chay. “Ava, too.”
“What would you like us to tell them?” Chay asked, hands deep in his pockets.
“The truth,” she said. “I have nothing to hide.”
“Of course you don’t,” Jacob said, gathering her in against his side. “Don’t hesitate to call if you need us. It was a good night.”
She nodded, feeling bereft on the back of the fundraiser’s success. “Maybe this won’t impact the family foundation negatively.”
“Let Dad, Uncle James, Sherry and your parents worry about that,” Jacob advised. “I’m sure everyone will come through just fine, especially once the police collar Ryder.”
Chay nodded, offering Sassy a commiserating embrace. “Call me, too, if you need to, anytime.”
She made a face. “You have a baby at home.”
“I want to help, Sassy,” he insisted. “Ava would want me to as well.”
“Thanks, Chay.” He raised his hand in a final goodbye as they both made their way toward the door. She tensed, feeling Nick at her back. “You should go, too.”
“I’ll stay as long as you have to.”
“Let me rephrase,” she said, biting the words off one at a time. “Iwantyou to go.”
“Don’t do this, Sassy. I’m not going to leave you in the middle of this mess.”
“Then you shouldn’t have made it,” she stated, tired. All of a sudden, she was so tired. She wanted to slide to the bottom step of the staircase and curl in on herself. “Go. Please.”
He waited several seconds, as if expecting her to change her mind. Then he sighed. “I really did think I was doing the right thing.”
“Think different,” she suggested. “Good night, Nick.”
He didn’t respond before winding around her to the exit. Maybe because her “good night” sounded all too terribly like “goodbye.”
Chapter 17
Sassy balanced the level on top of the painting. The bubble centered between the lines, ensuring her that she had hung it straight. Soledad had surprised her by ordering a plaque for it.
Woman v World
