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I’m far from fine. I’m falling for William, and that can’t happen. I won’t let it happen.

“You’re sure?” she asks, concern knitting her brow. “I’m always here for you, Opal.”

I take comfort in her words because I know the weight they hold. She’s always been a shoulder I can lean on, especially during the most painful time of my life.

“I’m always here for you, too,” I say to shift the focus off of me. “I’ll go down and wait for Posey.”

“And the something she’s carrying,” she adds.

“The vase of flowers she’s carrying.” Before she can blurt out anything, I hold up my hand. “They’re from a friend. It’s a man who helped me land my first private party at the bar.”

Skepticism dances over her expression. “Why do I feel like you’re leaving out some key details about this man?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know, but if you have avocado, I’d love that on my sandwich, too.”

She grins. “I’ll make it just the way you like it.”

I turn and walk toward the door of her apartment so I can get to Posey and beg her not to say a word about William to Malvie. The last thing I need is another family member telling me it’s okay to have big fun with him.

I can’t have fun with him again. It’s too risky for my heart. I need to forget him. As impossible as that is, I have to make it happen as soon as possible.

40

Opal

My plan toerase William Knight from my memory and my life has come to a crashing halt.

Literally. I just crashed into him again.

Unlike the first time, I’m not holding any peculiar smelling dip in my hands. They’re both free and currently resting against his chest as he stares down at me.

“Opal,” he says my name, and every rational thought that has been running through my mind all day about why I can’t continue seeing and sleeping with him disappears. In one big poof, it’s all gone, and all I can think about is how good he smells and what he looks like naked.

“Incredible,” I whisper as my gaze slowly trails over the impeccable lines of his suit jacket. He really does have exquisite style.

“I’m glad you think so,” he says, assuming I’m talking about him.

Who am I kidding?In a way, I am. He is incredible.

Feeling flustered, I take a step back. “I didn’t think I’d see you today, William.”

I go with that instead of trying to explain why I haven’t responded to the two text messages he sent me today or the voicemail he left me.

I may have listened to that more than once because his voice is what phone sex dreams are made of. I’ve never heard a man say my name quite the way William does.

Since I’m trying to forget about him, I should have deleted the voicemail before listening to it, but I didn’t. Now, I fear I’ll never find the strength to erase it.

“You’ve been busy,” he says in a gentle tone. “I know you must be overloaded with work since the bar opens soon.”

He’s the perfect man.

William Knight is a great fuck with a good heart.

Why couldn’t he have dropped into my life five years ago?

“Can I make you dinner tonight?” He jumps right into his reason for circling back to Turquoise Crown.

I came here after my lunch date with Malvie and Posey. Since they both were fawning over the roses, I split them into three bunches. Malvie’s face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning when I handed her some. Posey’s eyes clouded with tears when I gave her several.