Page 101

I have a pressing need to hug her, but this is where I have to be right now. Talking with William is important. It feels too important to walk away from, so I’ll stay with him for now.

“I would never have married Percy,” I say in an even tone. “It never would have happened.”

William’s eyes lock on mine. He doesn’t need to utter a word for me to know he has something to say, something that can’t wait.

“I’ll stop by your house later,” I tell Hildy while staring at William. “Please try and focus on the good that came out of today. You found Louie. That’s all you need to be thinking about.”

“You’re right,” she says with conviction in her tone. “I’ll think about Louie. Call me when you’re on your way here, dear. I’ll make some tea.”

I shove my phone back in my bag and take quick steps until I’m right in front of William. His gaze has never left me. His eyes trail over my face so slowly that I can’t help but wonder if he’s cataloging every one of my features into his memory.

His lips part slightly before he drags the tip of his tongue over the bottom one. “I shouldn’t have finished my water so fast. I’m parched.”

I hand my bottle to him, uncapping it as I do. “Have some of mine.”

He takes it without question, swallowing half of what’s left.

When he hands it back to me, his fingers are shaking. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen his composure break.

As soon as my gaze is back on his face, he shakes his head slightly. “I’m sorry, Opal. Please know how sorry I am for not telling you sooner.”

“About your apartment?” I assume. “I understand. You were protecting your personal space. You were protecting your heart.”

He nods briskly. “I was, but I’m sorry for so much more than that. I’m deeply sorry for other things.”

My bottom lip trembles as I weigh those words. A part of me doesn’t want to hear what he needs to tell me, but I have to know. “Tell me, William.”

He swallows hard as he looks me straight in the eyes. “Percy Haines hired me. My job was to help him get you to fall in love with him.”

61

William

The last placeI wanted to confess that to Opal was on a busy sidewalk. Life continues moving around us even though it feels as though time is standing still. I know I am. Opal, on the other hand, is fidgeting in place.

I fully expect her to bolt, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I never hear from her again. I deserve everything that is about to happen.

I’ve always been proud of what I do. I’ve viewed myself as someone who helps men better themselves. The end goal is virtually always the same. My efforts are instrumental in helping those men win the hearts of the women they love.

In many cases, it’s worked out. In some cases, the man can’t get his act together enough to impress anyone, let alone a woman.

In Percy’s case, I knew I was dealing with an arrogant jerk from the start. My gut told me he was a poor excuse for a man, but I viewed that as a challenge instead of a red flag. That’s on me.

“You what?”

Repeating what I just said is painful, but I do it, but not before I step closer to her. “Percy was a client of mine for a short time. He hired me to help him have a fighting chance with you. He wanted to marry you, Opal.”

Taking a step back, she shakes her head. “No. That can’t be right. You can’t know Percy.”

Jesus, how I want it not to be the truth, but it is, so I confirm it with a nod. “It’s true.”

Her brows pinch together. “Is that what you do for a living? You trick unsuspecting women into marrying awful men?”

“No.”

“You told me you advised men.” She points a finger at me. “You never said anything about advising them on how to stalk women. He was stalking me, William. He was trying to steal what’s mine. He admitted it all to me and Hildy earlier.”

“What?” My voice is loud enough to draw curious glances from the people passing us.