Page 88 of Release You

“How hot he got?” I wrapped my arm around Henry’s waist. “I know.”

“Grown up.” She laughed. Tiny wrinkles covered her eyes as she took both our hands. “Thank you for believing in me.”

“I’m sorry it took me this long to get my head out of my ass.” Henry hugged her again.

“None of this was your fault. Don’t forget that.” Lisa wiped her eyes and turned to face the buffet table. “The food smells amazing. Did you really get Mrs. Blaine to do all this?”

“She was happy to do it.” He winked at her.

“Let me fix you a plate,” Mrs. Blaine cut in. “I mean, are you hungry?” Her eyes darted between Lisa and Henry. She’d do anything to please the new owner of Cavalier Manor and this town.

“Yes. Thank you.” Lisa met my gaze, a small smile pulling on the side of her mouth.

“And also,” Mrs. Blaine slanted a nervous glance at me. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior. Before I…I mean we…we were all hurting, and we didn’t know.”

“Thank you.” Lisa nodded and patted her arm. “I am hungry. I’ll take that plate.”

“Right. Just take a seat, and I’ll bring it to you.” Mrs. Blaine scurried to the buffet.

“That was nice of her.” Henry chuckled.

“Did you ask her to say that?” Lisa asked.

“No, we didn’t,” I said. “She feels terrible. She spent a great deal of time fraternizing with a killer. She has a lot of making up to do.”

“Yeah. Russ tells me that a lot of people are wondering ifshe had anything to do with the murder. After all, Francesca got away with it for so long only because of Mrs. Blaine’s testimony. It gave Francesca the alibi she needed.” Henry put his hands on his hips. “I promise she won’t cause any problems for you. If she does, come talk to me.”

“Thanks.” Lisa shook her head once. “I can’t seem to stop saying that word. Everything is exactly how I’d imagined it.”

“No need to thank us. Now go eat and enjoy your party.” I pushed her toward the nearest table. She sat down, and Mrs. Blaine promptly set a plate of food in front of her. She took the chair next to Lisa and poured champagne into two glasses.

Russ sat on the other side of Lisa and offered her his hand. Lisa shook it, cheeks red as she sipped from her glass. She had spent half of her life in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. How long would it take for her to truly feel like she’d come home, to let go of the past and live in the moment?

“This doesn’t even begin to make up for all the years she lost.” Henry guessed my thoughts.

I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my mouth to his. “Thank you. This was the best surprise. Lisa looks so happy. Stunned. But happy.”

“Nothing short of this could’ve gotten me out of bed today.” He nuzzled the sensitive spot behind my ear. “Dance with me.”

Henry pulled me to the area near the stairs, where other people swayed to a jazzy tune, and turned me a couple times before he brought me close to him. Everything was as I remembered it. The sparkly chandelier, the laughter, the dancing and drinking champagne. Just as it had been before our lives were uprooted. Before we all became prisoners of one deluded maniac.

“I wish Tessa were here.”

“She’ll be with us soon enough. Don’t worry. We’re a family. No one can take that away from us.” He brushed histhumb over my cheek as his thighs guided me into a turn across the dance floor.

“I didn’t know you could dance.” I smiled up at him.

“We kind of skipped that whole first-date stuff. Didn’t we?” He kissed my hand.

“We kind of did.” I laughed.

“Would you like to go out with me sometime?” He met my gaze.

“I would love to.” I beamed at him.

“This Friday?”

“I can make Friday work. I’m retired now, so I have a lot of free time.”

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