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63

William

I ruba hand over my jaw. I didn’t sleep last night, so instead of tossing and turning needlessly in bed for hours, I got up and ran until I was bone weary.

I didn’t stop to rest on the bench as I typically do because I didn’t want to chance having to face my brother. Scout and Bauer know me too well, and judging by the man I saw in the mirror after I got home last night, they would have had a lot of hard questions for me.

I’m not ready to admit to them that I loved and lost.

I’m not ready to lose, so I’m here to fight.

It’s mid-morning, and I’m on the sidewalk outside Turquoise Crown. I was here an hour and a half ago with my heart in my hand, but when I knocked on the door, no one answered.

I set off on foot after that, walking from one street to another, stopping in a park to sit and think.

I considered sending Opal a text message or calling, but that came with the risk of the bitter sting of an unanswered text or an ignored call. Besides, what I need to say has to be done when I’m looking into her eyes.

I straighten my tie. I’m wearing the same suit I wore the day Opal spilled Dicey Dip on me. From that day forward, I considered it my lucky suit, and what I need more than anything is luck today.

I have truth on my side, and if Opal sees fit to grant me the last fourteen minutes of the time she promised me yesterday, I’ll use it to convince her that despite my failings, I’m a good man. I’m a solid man with a heart that belongs to her if she wants it.

It’s hers for eternity because there will never be another woman for me. I know that.

Just as I’m about to swing open the door, Hildy steps out.

Her hand darts to her mouth to signal that I need to keep mine shut. She scoots me back with a brush of her hand in the air as she closes the bar’s door behind her.

“Good. You’re here,” she says as though she was expecting me.

Maybe she was. Perhaps she can sense how deeply I love her great niece.

“I know all about your part in this.” She tilts her head. “You’ve chosen a noble cause, William. Helping men to be better so women will see their potential. Good for you, but bad for Percy.”

I wince at the mention of his name.

“That boy stood no chance next to a man like you.” She smiles. “As soon as you appeared in Opal’s life, the stars aligned.”

I’d like to think so, too, so I nod. “True, but…”

“But you fucked it up,” she says, surprising me.

“I did.”

“So fix it.” She drives her pointer finger into the middle of my chest. “Opal sat down with Percy this morning for a coffee and a chat.”

Panic grips me. “What?”

I don’t trust that bastard to tell Opal the truth about anything. For all I know, he made himself out to be an upstanding guy and branded me the villain.

In some ways, I know I am, but I’m hopeful I can redeem myself.

Hildy chases away my concerns with a wave of her hand. “I’m the one who suggested she talk to him to get to the facts. I called Percy’s grandfather. He gave me his grandson’s number before he blew me a kiss through the phone.”

The last part of that confession puts a small smile on my face. I tug on the lapels of my jacket. “Give it to me straight. Do I stand a chance with her?”

“My sweet girl’s heart was crushed two years ago.” She looks into my eyes. “You’re the man who can put it back together and keep it that way forever. I know that. You know that. Go tell Opal that.”

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