Page 21 of Undo Me

Bethany’s stomach knotted at the thought. What would that be like? To have a time limit like that? If she knew she was going to be dead in twenty-four hours, what would she do with that time?

He won’t die. He can’t. Don’t be so dramatic.

But he wouldn’t be here. Not like this. She wasn’t sure who she was more upset for, him or herself. It didn’t feel like enough time.

Another knock sounded at the door, making them jump. “Here comes the bride.”

Allegra slid inside quickly, a large grin on her face. “I’m pretty sure I’m interrupting a scintillating sex talk that you’re not including me in, but I’ll pester you for details in a minute. What do you think?”

Bethany’s heart melted on the spot. Allegra looked like a damn fairy queen come to life. The lacy white creation had an empire waist, short bell sleeves, and a curving neckline that did amazing things for her strong, slender figure. It was made for her. “Beautiful.”

Michelle stood to embrace her. “She’s right, baby girl. You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. Rousseau might not make it through the ceremony without crying or tossing you over his shoulder and locking you in his bedroom again.”

“My vote’s on both.” Bethany reached into her bedside table, where she’d placed Isabel’s treasures for study, and took out the comb. “I don’t think Michelle or Isabel would mind if you made this a part of your outfit. Especially since you’re getting married on the grounds. Something old.”

She slid the comb into her hair while Allegra’s bright blue eyes sparkled with moisture. “What is wrong with me? I’ve climbed mountains. I swam with a shark, for God’s sake. All I have to do is walk down one little aisle and all of a sudden I’m a mess.”

Bethany wiped her tears and cupped her shoulders with a wry smile. “Since I’ve rarely braved anything beyond the stairs of my apartment after the elevator broke down, I can’t claim to know what kind of courage it takes to do what you’ve done, Allegra. But I think a promise like this, a commitment this special, would bring a tear to anyone’s eye.” She gestured toward Michelle. “I’m willing to bet good money our girl here will put you to shame with the sobbing when she finally stops toying with Ben’s emotions and accepts his proposal.”

Michelle gasped in outrage. “Did he tell you that? All I said was we should wait to tell The Mamas until Allegra and Rousseau…” She stared at Bethany while Allegra clapped a hand over her mouth in surprise. “He didn’t say anything. You guessed.”

“I know you,” Bethany reminded her. “And the way Ben looks at you every time anything wedding related comes up isn’t exactly subtle.”

“You’re pregnant,” Allegra said softly, and now it was Bethany’s turn to be surprised. She followed her gaze to the protective hand that Michelle had unconsciously placed over her stomach.

Michelle glanced toward the door in panic, lowering her voice as she moved closer. “We just found out. Ben sensed something, so I got a few tests and I can’t tell you how much I want a drink right now.”

Bethany laughed and Allegra dragged them into a group hug. “I didn’t think the day could get any better. I bet it’s twins.”

“I can hurt you,” Michelle mumbled into Allegra’s hair.

“Not on my wedding day.”

Michelle stepped back and clapped her hands. “Okay, enough of this, or we’ll ruin your dress. We have to get this off of you before any of the men see it. Mama and Rousseau are in the kitchen, making enough food to feed an army. We’ll have an early lunch, and then we need to take you to the hairdresser’s, and get Bethany something to wear for the occasion.”

Allegra nodded. “BD, too. He won’t fit in anything Ben has in your closet. I checked.” Bethany and Michelle both looked at her askance, and she shrugged. “What? The man has no clothes. The wedding guests may not mind, but Rousseau definitely will. The man nearly had a heart attack knowing I was in the same room as a naked Loa.”

Michelle held up her hand. “Back up. He agreed to come to the wedding?”

“He’ll come.” She sounded certain.

Bethany wasn’t so sure. If she only had one day in human form, her bucket list wouldn’t have “awkward guest at wedding of the man I possessed” written anywhere on it.

“So, we’re just going to ignore the baby news for now?”

Michelle took Bethany’s chin between her fingers and kissed her cheek. “If The Mamas find out, I’ll know it was you.”

“Fine. Lose the Godfather impression and I’ll keep your secret.”

“We have enough on our plate with the wedding, the after party and a Loa in our midst. Tomorrow we’ll fulfill Elise and Annemarie’s lifelong goal of having grandbabies.”

Allegra hugged them both again before bouncing out of the room, Michelle hot on her trail. Bethany hung back, taking out the brass locket that she’d worn every night since she arrived from its hidden spot by her bed. She really should have shown this to Allegra instead of the comb. It would have gone perfectly.

You should have shown it to Michelle.

Her fingers closed over the cool metal, enjoying the zap of electricity she’d come to associate with it. Just like the puzzle box, she couldn’t get it open. But she couldn’t seem to part with it either.

She slid the chain around her neck, pinning the locket to the strap of her bra. It felt like hers. Her own secret talisman. And she needed one. Especially if she was going to be keeping secrets from a voodoo priestess and spending more time with BD.

One day. After it was over, he’d be gone and Bethany would return to her lonely apartment and her safe, monotonous life. She hadn’t changed at all in the last four years, more than that. But Allegra had gone from swimming with sharks to inviting Loa to her wedding. And Michelle was in love, on her way to being married and pregnant to boot. It made her long for…something. A change. A really good memory.

Marriage and happy endings weren’t in the cards for her, but would it really be so wrong if she allowed herself a passionate fling before she left New Orleans? If she had a wild adventure of her own for just one day?

She needed to think about it fast, because time wasn’t on her side.

---