“I’m right here.” He’d come in without her knowing. “What’s up?”
“I’m done being a wuss.”
“I hardly think you—”
“Wilson isn’t going to win, and we’re not going to keep looking for more proof before I bring it to theHerald.”
“We’re not?”
“No,” she said. “We have enough here to warrant a larger investigation. More than enough.”
Wes raised his eyebrows. “I hate to be unsupportive, but do you think they’ll go for it? You were pretty concerned.”
“I’m tired of self-censoring. I’m going to fight for this, and I’m going to do it now.” This was a good story, and if a powerful man didn’t like it? He could suck it. She was going to do her best to get it published instead of waiting and waiting for the perfect moment.
Wes gripped her so tight she gasped. “Are you ready for this?” he asked. “If it goes ahead, there’s going to be blowback from Wilson, and you know how people get on the internet.”
Nadine hesitated. Was she ready? Then she glanced down at the book in her hand, the one she’d yanked out trying to get her balance.Thirty Pieces of Silver. Dot’s first attempt to change things.
“Yes,” she said. “I’m ready.”
“Then you get him,” said Wes. “I’ve got your back, whatever you need.”
She grinned, a rush of adrenaline taking over the fear. “Anything?”
He leaned in closer. “Anything.”
“Good.” She grabbed Octavia away from her phone and handed the wriggling tabby over. “Take care of her for a second so I can senda text.”
Nadine deleted the message to her mother and rewrote it. It was time to make it crystal clear she was fine on her own.Thanks, but I can take care of my own security. I don’t want any more discussion about me moving. I’m staying at my place.
Then she sent it and felt free, until Wes yelped as Octavia dug in her claws and he dumped the furious cat onto her lap.
***
It was after midnight by the time they were taking a final farewell swim in the grotto. “Who do you think will buy this house?” asked Wes as he floated near Nadine. The cool water was like a balm. “I hope some hedonistic pop star who has orgies in here.”
“It’ll probably be some soulless tech bro who will turn it into a cooling chamber for his AI.” Nadine paddled her hands against the water.
“This house has some happy memories for me,” said Wes, looking up. It was cloudy, tinting the night sky lavender.
“Yeah?” Nadine moved closer. “Like what?”
“Like the time Erma threw up beside my bed,” Wes said in a contemplative tone. “Can a man say he’s lived until he’s stepped in cold cat hair balls?”
“I believe Marcus Aurelius addressed that very topic in hisMeditations.” Nadine swam nearer. “Is that your only memory?”
“No.” He tried to catch his breath. Only Nadine could render him speechless like this.
“Good.” Then she kissed him, and soon Wes had a brand-new favorite memory.
Forty-three
Nadine held the door for Wes as he struggled through with his hands full. After talking earnestly to Erma and the other cats in a low voice, he’d rushed out in the morning to come back with a sour cream glazed doughnut for Nadine and a carful of carriers for the cats.
“They’re a posse,” he insisted to Brent when he’d called to tell him he was taking all four. “They can’t be separated.”
Brent had named Wes the cats’ official human companion and invited him to take the rest of the organic meals in the fridge as a gift as well as their portrait in the dress room. Wes had accepted the food and regretfully declined the portrait, which Nadine had snapped up.
