Page 90 of Phoenix Rising

Gennie’s tone was pensive as if she already knew the answer. Reese didn’t want to hurt her, so he asked, “Who called you?”

“The hospital. You still have me listed as your contact, and thank goodness. I wouldn’t have wanted you to be in here alone.”

Reese had never gotten around to changing his emergency information. He wasn’t sure who he would have put since his family had little to do with him. Audria’s face flashed in his head, and he wished he’d switched it to her. Had he dreamed she’d been at his side? He thought he remembered her talking to him, describing a home on a lake, and giving him expert play-by-play analysis.

“Wasn’t there a game on the television?”

Gennie glanced over her shoulder and then wrinkled her nose. “You know I don’t like sports. I changed it when I got here.” Gennie frowned. “Reese, you can stop looking around. There’s no one else here.”

He dropped his head on the pillow.

“I want to thank you again for finding Paige’s killer.” She took a tissue from her three-thousand-dollar purse and dabbed at her eyes. Audria never carried a bag unless she needed to conceal a weapon, and she would never pay that much for one. She was far too practical.

“I can’t believe she’s gone.”

“I’m sorry, Gennie. Truly.” And he was.

“I know, darling, and you gave me the gift of closure.” She gazed at him with watery eyes. “Come home with me, Reese. I’ll take care of you. We’re good together. You know it.”

He would give his fortune not to have this conversation. “You don’t love me, Gennie.”

“I do,” she insisted.

Reese sighed. Genevieve had been devastated by her friend’s death, and she was grieving. He hated to add to her pain, but she was hurting, and Reese was the safe option. He told her as much. She tried to deny it.

More tears poured down her flawless alabaster cheeks. “When did it happen?”

He cut his gaze to her. “When did what happen?”

“You and Audria . . . no, don’t deny it,” she admonished as he prepared to do just that. “That’s who you expected to see, wasn’t it?”

He wouldn’t do her the disservice of lying to her. “A week or so ago. On a case in Miami.”

Her voice was so low he almost didn’t hear her. “No, darling, you’ve had feelings for her for a long time.”

Damn, had he been that obvious? He’d tried to reject the emotions, even to himself. Somewhere, deep down, he’d recognized Audria as his soulmate the moment he’d met her. He’d been married then, but things hadn’t been right with Gennie for a while. Still, he’d refused to allow his mind to even think about her. “I was never unfaithful to you, Gennie. Not once.”

Gennie placed a hand over his heart. “Oh, darling, I know that. You would never cheat. You are far too noble. But a woman knows when her man has lost interest.”

“That’s not what happened,” he protested. “We grew up, grew apart. It was no one’s fault.”

She paced away from him and gazed out the window. “I always liked her. She’s gorgeous and athletic and tough. A fighter. Everything I’m not.”

“It’s like comparing apples to oranges,” he responded. “You are both incredible in different ways.”

Gennie turned to him. “I never stopped loving you.”

Reese thought the bullets hurt. This was much worse. It felt like a samurai warrior had infiltrated his room and sliced him in half with a machete. “Gennie, you are a beautiful woman, both inside and out. You are caring and generous. Any man would consider himself lucky to be with you. I will always love you.”

“But you aren’t in love with me.”

“I am sorry.”

She nodded and glanced away as if she’d expected his response.

“We’re still friends. We always will be. I only want the best for you. I want you to be happy, Gennie.”

“What if it’s you that does it for me?”

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