Page 87 of Release You

“The food will go over here, opposite the bar. Since you didn’t give me a menu, I just brought some of my most popular dishes and…” She did a double take, her mouth slightly open.

I turned around, knowing full well who I would find. I could spend the rest of my life just standing here, watching Nikki come down the stairs in whatever bombshell dress she chose for the day. For tonight, she’d gone with a royal-blue dress. One of Mom’s diamond necklaces completed her outfit.

“She was always very pretty,” Mrs. Blaine said.

Nikki was drop-dead gorgeous, and Mrs. Blaine knew it. I took a deep breath and let it go. It would be a while before Francesca’s influence on this town went away completely. For now, this was a very good start.

“The room looks beautiful,” Nikki said when she joined us. Her eyes sparkled under the twinkling lights of the chandelier. “Just like I remember it. You even replaced the mirror.” She pointed to the wall behind the bar.

“Hipolita.” Mrs. Blaine cleared her throat. “I wanted to apologize for the way I treated you when…you know. It was unfair.”

Nikki’s face went pale. She squeezed my shoulder for support as she beamed at Lisa. “Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to her.”

Mrs. Blaine opened her mouth to speak, but Nikki was already gone.

CHAPTER 31

But Fools Lived Happiest

Nikki

I never thought I’d be able to hug my sister again. But here she was. She was finally home. My heart leaped at the sight of her as tears streamed down my cheeks.

“Welcome home.” I met Lisa out on the sidewalk and wrapped my arms around her. “You made it.”

“Thanks to you. It’s all because of you. I owe you my life,” she croaked, pulling away to look at me.

I did the same, taking in all her details. The last time I hugged her, she was way taller than me. Now she was a couple of inches shorter, her hair cut in a bob, face long, and cheeks hollow. Her dark eyes spoke of the many things she’d seen during the time she spent in prison. I swallowed my tears. It was time to let it go and be happy, be a family.

“I had help. Come inside. You don’t want to miss your party.”

“No. I’m fine out here.” She pushed her hair away from her face with trembling fingers.

I grabbed her cold hands and squeezed thembetween mine. “You have nothing to be afraid of. This is your time. Everyone here knows the truth. They know you were just a victim, that Francesca and Jonathan did this to you.”

I didn’t exactly know that. But if Henry had brought all these people here, it was to make sure every single one of them apologized to Lisa. To make sure that everyone showed her the kindness she deserved and welcomed her home. Just as she wanted.

“I don’t need them to apologize.” She looked down at her hands.

“Trust me—you do. It’s the least they can do for you. You can’t let them off that easy.” I put my arm around her and giggled. “Henry had Mrs. Blaine cater the party. I know you’d fantasized about this for years. You’re here. Take it.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “But don’t leave my side.”

“Never.”

We walked through the front door. I met Henry’s gaze across the room, and that prompted him to make his way toward us.

“I wasn’t sure what to wear. I let your lawyer friend talk me into wearing this dress. It feels odd to be in a skirt again.” She tugged at the thick straps.

It wasn’t the dress that bothered her. It was all the faces in the room staring at her, the same faces that pointed a finger at her fifteen years ago and called her a murderer. She was barely an adult, and they let her go to jail without a second thought.

“You look great.” I squeezed her shoulders.

Tears welled in my eyes. How difficult life must’ve been for her. My heart squeezed tight, but I forced a smile. She didn’t need tears from me right now. She needed to see that everything was going to be okay. That the nightmare was over.

“Lisa.” Henry hugged her, kissing her cheek. “Welcomehome.” He glanced toward the window and out into the street. “Where’s Dom?”

“Oh. He had to go. He said he’d call you guys later.” Lisa blushed, smiling at the floor. “I still can’t get over how?—”

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