Page 34 of Release You

He chuckled, and then his face blanched, as if he’d seen a ghost. I turned in my seat, and my stomach rolled. His aunt, all decked out like she was on her way to a party, glided through the door and went straight to the counter. This was someone who loved playing the Cavalier card. Mrs. Blaine greeted her and promptly reported Henry was here too, with a date.

“Fuck. She’s coming this way.” Henry squeezed my hand tighter. This time it was more for his own benefit.

“Henry. Honey. How are you?” His aunt touched her cheek to his. He didn’t move a muscle, his face blank, eyes dark and menacing. If his aunt noticed, she didn’t show it. “I hear you’re here with a friend.” She regarded me up and down. Her gaze settled on the two-carat diamond studs on my earlobes. She smiled in approval, and my insides twisted. “I’m Francesca Cavalier, Henry’s aunt.” She offered me her hand.

“Nice to meet you.” I gave her a weak shake, barely touching her fingers. “Henry didn’t tell me he had an aunt.”

She pursed her lips for a second before she plastered on a grin. “Well, that’s Henry for you. But now that we’ve met, my husband, the mayor, and I would love to have you over for this year’s Founders’ celebration at the manor.”

This wasn’t an invitation. This was a list of her credentials. The mayor’s wife who could make the call on who got invited to Cavalier Manor. All she was to me was the witch who’d made Lisa and me clean the floors over and over until they were exactly how she liked them, who would yell at ten-year-old me for stepping on the expensive rug in the living room.

“Thank you. You’re too kind for thinking of us.” I flashed her a smile.

Across from me, Henry sat back and glared at his aunt. This was the woman living in his house, spending his money. “Is that it? We’d like to enjoy our breakfast.” He gestured for her to leave.

A small gasp left her lips, and she glanced over her shoulder. Keeping appearances was everything to her. Mrs. Blaine caught her eye and took the opportunity to join the conversation. Great. I sipped my black coffee. It burned my tongue, but I kept drinking as a reminder that I needed to keep my cool.

“Aren’t they a lovely couple?” Mrs. Blaine asked.

I didn’t bother telling her we weren’t together. A part of me liked that Mrs. Blaine thought Nikki Swift was good enough to date the Prince of Paradise.

Francesca nodded. “I’m so happy for you, Henry. The last time you were in town, your choice in friends was, well, terrible. But that’s how those Morrow girls were, bad seeds. I’m glad you were able to get away from all that.”

“What made you think of them?” Henry’s face remained blank as he met my gaze for a moment.

“We celebrate your dad every year during the Founders’ Day Gala. And every year, I pray that Morrow girl is rotting in prison for what she did.” Mrs. Blaine wrung her apron.

She still hated my sister…us. I wished her words didn’t hurt me still after all these years. Lisa was right. The only way to come back home was to prove her innocence.

“We all miss him. Don’t we? But justice was served. Now we must remember James for who he was and not how his life ended.” Francesca moved closer to Henry, a greedy look in her eyes. She placed her hand on his shoulder and surveyed his face.

Henry pushed her hand off him.

“And I agree with you. This entire town agrees with you.” Mrs. Blaine nodded, a star-struck expression on her face. She’d say anything to be included in Francesca’s circle. “That Morrow girl should rot in jail.”

“I have to go. My dear husband’s waiting for me. Is my order ready? The mayor can’t function without his donuts.”

“Of course.” Mrs. Blaine sprang to action. She snapped her fingers to get the server’s attention, then said, “Fetch Madame Mayor’s order.”

“I hope to see you both this weekend.” Francesca waved and returned to the counter.

“Do they know your uncle is the elected official, not Francesca? It’s not like they’re royalty.” I rolled my eyes.

“Are you okay?” Henry gave me a weak smile.

Our hands were sweaty, but I didn’t dare let go of him. I shook my head. “Lisa’s right.”

“I know.” He drew circles on my palm with his thumb. “Some date, huh?”

“This was a date?” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Well, not anymore. I mean…” He gestured toward the counter. His face relaxed a little, and he smiled. “I’d hoped to come here, have breakfast, and talk about us.”

“What is there to say about us?”

He shrugged. “There’s such a big wall between us, Nikki. I’m part of this town. The same town that hurt you when you were little. The one that chased you away. How do I make it right? I can see it in your eyes. You’re never going to forget all the pain you went through when you were here. You’re never going to forgive me. Are you?”

“None of this was your fault.”

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