Page 111 of Bad Luck Club

“You’re still just as strong as you were this morning. And I’m proud of you. You stood up to Remy.” He laughed a little, a sound as rich as hot chocolate from the French Broad Chocolate Lounge, and God, she just wanted to go home. Because Asheville was home. It had become home, because of her studio, yes, and because she’d chosen it as her place. But Bear and the club, Dottie and her machinations, and Lee…

They were the ones who’d made it a place she wanted to stay.

A sob built in her chest, but she held it in.

“Get it?” Bear prodded. “You know, you stood up to him because you stomped on his shoe.”

“Ha. Ha,” she said, surprised to feel a slight smile rise on her face, despite the sob that still hadn’t released. How messed up was that?

“My point is that you’re doing better than you think, kid. And don’t give up on your failed sponsee so quickly. Lee had a big shock, and it must’ve brought up a lot of baggage for him. We both know a thing or two about that. He’ll come around. He just needs some space to make sense of it. That Dottie woman will help him. I can tell she has a good head on her shoulders.”

“I don’t think hewillcome around,” she said, that sob finally cresting and coming out. “He thinks that I was protecting Remy from him rather than the other way around. From the way he was acting, he probably believes I knew what Remy was planning. Dottie knows that I didn’t, but…I just don’t know where to go from here. Even if he does come back, he was so cold to me. He immediately jumped to the worst possible conclusions and pushed me away, just like he did after his first meeting with the club.”

She sobbed again, and the couple next to her, on the date she’d apparently stalled out, sat up straighter and turned toward each other. “So,” the guy said, “your profile said you’re sexually adventurous?”

It very nearly made her laugh again, proving that her emotions had well and truly gone haywire. “The way he looked at me when I stepped between them… I…I get what he’s going through, Bear, I do. But ithurts.”

“He’ll come around,” he insisted. “Now, let’s talk about you coming around. There’s a 5:30 a.m. flight to Charlotte from Newark airport.”

“You were looking this up while we’ve been talking?” she asked, tears in her eyes. Gratitude welled in her belly, and she again felt the pull of home.

“You bet.”

“But I don’t know how I’ll get back from Charlotte, Bear. My car’s in my driveway.”

“Don’t you worry about a thing, Blue. I’ve got you. You’re not alone.”

It was the exact thing she’d needed to hear, and tears streamed from her eyes as she nodded silently.

“I’ll book the flight,” she said, knowing it would probably cost most of what was left in her bank account.

But that was okay. When she came home, she fully intended to do what she should have done months ago, years ago, and sell or donate every last thing that had come to her from Jeremy Rousseau. And although she would have to cancel the two gallery meetings she’d set up in New York, she still had that show coming up in Greenville—

The memory of that meeting at the gallery, of Lee’s adorable blush, of the fierce way he’d stood up for her nearly made her gasp out loud. It felt like she was being stabbed through the rib cage.

“No need,” Bear said. “It’s already booked. Consider it your graduation present. I have a doctor’s appointment in the morning, but someone will be there to pick you up. And we’re moving the luau to tomorrow night. Executive decision. You’re going to need some picking up, and there’s no one better to do that than your family.”

What was left of her heart cracked open, and she felt another glimmer of good—the notion that somewhere, at the other end of this heartbreak, if therewasan end to it, she would like the person she had become. The woman who’d lost most of her family but found another. The woman who had decided to make a bet on herself, even though failure seemed to lurk around every corner.

But she couldn’t banish the wish to share the person she’d become with the man she loved.

Even if he’d turned his back on her.

* * *

Texts had trickled in over the course of the night, which she’d spent sleepless at Newark airport, knitting until her fingers hurt. She’d been making Lee a sweater—a surprise—and for some reason she wanted to finish it.

It felt like hope, knitting that sweater.

By the time her flight took off, she’d gotten five texts from Maisie, six from Adalia, twenty from Dottie, and even one from Finn, who must have gotten her number from Adalia. She’d assured them all that she was fine, apologized for missing the show, and explained that she’d felt the need to go home early after a bit of ugliness with her ex-husband. She said nothing about Lee. He could explain what had happened between them, if he wished to do so. Or Dottie could.

Harry had texted her too.Buford and I are watching Harvey. I find this a strangely disquieting experience. Did you know this movie is about a man who has a giant rabbit friend who no one else can see? Buford’s really staying with me, right? I didn’t make this up?

Then, a few moments later, he added,Also, Bear sent out a group email telling us the luau has been moved to tomorrow night and that you’ll need some cheering up. I’m not going to pry, but if Sleeper Agent has screwed up, I will absolutely get drunk with you and publicly hurl insults at him.

Love you. See you when you’re back.

Your maybe fake, maybe real rabbit is staring at me. It’s kind of creepy, but I’ll admit it, he and his massive furriness have grown on me. If he’s really here.

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