Page 129 of Late Harvest

With an affectionate chortle, Gen turned to Benny. “We’re wondering if you’d like to join the Red Wine Supper Club.”

Benny smiled, her gorgeous face becoming even more stunning, and Remy had the distinct sensation of feeling as trollish as Gollum from The Lord of the Rings.

“I’m not sure what that is, but I’m generally game for anything wine and friendship.” The former cover model, who’d graced more swimsuit editions than Remy could count, halted, tucking an icy blonde strand behind her ear. Could goddesses even get nervous? “But I don’t want to impose.”

“Impose away!” Lila practically shrieked, her natural exuberance taking over. “We’re all essentially new friends. Except for Gen and Nell, who’ve been friends since the womb⁠—”

“True,” Gen nodded, shoulder-bumping Nell, who blushed adorably.

“I’ve known Doc for years,” Lila continued, “but our friendship is more recent. Before that, I was merely in awe of Darth Vadress and her effortless skill as a surgeon.”

Remy barked an amused laugh. “Join at your own peril.”

Benny smiled. “I’d like that. Other than Honor—who is basking in new motherhood—I don’t really know anyone here. It’s been tougher than I expected to start over.”

“Now you know four more,” Gen said, the look in her eyes conveying she wouldn’t accept no for a response. “While it’s early days in our little group, I can easily say there’s no friendship like Red Wine Supper Club friendship.”

“I can see that.” Benny’s cut-glass cheekbones had two spots of color. “Thank you,” she whispered, then cleared her throat as she pulled herself together. “But I really don’t drink much red wine. It’s been giving me migraines, to my deep disappointment.”

“Drink whatever you want. Or not at all. We just like the name.”

“It’s catchy,” Nell offered, her cheeks blazing bright pink.

“Then I’m in.”

“Yay!” Lila cheered. “Welcome to the Red Wine Supper Club, Benny.”

Her friends—including her newest one—returned to their homes. With Sebastian still ensconced in the guest room, Honor and Brinder stayed with her, chatting randomly of everything and nothing, their little baby still sound asleep. They kept the conversation light, all of them clearly emotionally drained from the retelling of Remy’s story.

Across the room, where he was sitting at the table jotting notes, Grayton hung up the phone that had been virtually attached to his ear since they’d arrived at the condo hours earlier. “Well, we’ve got her.”

“Who?” Remy froze, suddenly so weary and unable to take one more thing tonight.

“The person who vandalized your house, Dr. Remington.”

“Remy, please,” she insisted. “Who was it?”

“Just as Bash suspected, it was Maddie Hitchings, his longtime stalker,” Grayton confirmed, sighing and stretching.

“She was released?” Sebastian’s stunned voice filled the room.

Remy turned in her seat and held out a hand, which he quickly took, settling in next to her.

“Escaped,” Grayton corrected. “Two days ago. Someone pulled a fire alarm at the care facility. In the chaos, one of the security guards had her badge nicked. Maddie must have swiped it. It was dark, and she disappeared into the countryside, hitchhiking to DC, where she paid cash to ride a bus into Charlottesville. From there, she Ubered, right to your home, Remy.”

“How did they find her?” Sebastian asked, his brow furrowed.

“It was actually a member of the paparazzi who identified her.” Grayton consulted his notes. “Jerome Weathers.”

“Fucking A,” Sebastian breathed out. “Remind me to give that man a scoop.” He turned to Remy. “That’s the pap outside of the restaurant.”

Remy nodded. “I recognized his name.”

Sebastian scrubbed a hand down his face, suddenly looking weary. “It tracks, though. The man has been following me for decades. Of course he’d recognize my stalker. Damn.” He focused his attention on Grayton. “How is Maddie?”

His concern confused Remy. Wasn’t she a stalker? And one who’d violated their safety and privacy? And called her horrible names?

Sebastian smiled sadly. “I know what you’re thinking, my queen. But Maddie really is harmless. After one of her Bash Wheatley stalking sprees, I testified in court. While I was there, I met her parents. Two sweet, salt-of-the-earth types. Maddie is their only child. They adopted her later in life. She struggled from an early age with behavioral health challenges, which devolved into pretty severe mental illness. They didn’t have much in the way of financial resources to help her, and I could see how devoted they were to their daughter, and how devastated and embarrassed they were at her stalking. They kept apologizing on her behalf. I decided on the spot I’d help.”