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“She does look like an addict.”

“Yeah.” Quinn squeezed her hand. “How do you feel?”

“Sad. Not guilty,” Lia added, preempting her asking. “I do want to help her. Brooke has no immediate family. No friends either, or just really shitty ones, to let her spiral so far down into this hell.” Her anger flared. “She needs rehab.”

“Oh, that’s for sure.”

“And people who care.”

“Mm.” Quinn flashed a thoughtful smile. “What are you saying, Lia?”

chapter 21

She had to know the answer to the question already, and yet she remained just as calm and open when she asked it. Once again, Lia adored her for her selflessness and generosity.

“I’d like to ask Janet if she can recommend a good place in Lewiston.” She nodded. “If Brooke went to rehab on the West Coast, I could be near her in case she needed me. Would you be okay with that?”

Quinn raised a slow, inquisitive eyebrow. “Are you asking me if I am secure enough in our love and our marriage to allow this to happen?”

“Well.” Looking deep into her blue eyes, catching a hint of fiery impatience there despite her cool demeanor, Lia flashed a tender smile. She liked to see that, too, how fierce and possessive Quinn felt about their relationship. “I am secure in our love, and trust you enough to know I don’t need to ask.”

“That’s right, you really don’t.”

“But I want to.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes. You come first, babe. As my wife. Always will.”

Quinn cupped her face in both hands, and she kissed her.

“Thank you. And likewise. So, in principle, I am okay with you getting involved. If Brooke wants to do that.”

“In principle?” Lia prompted.

“She says she never stopped loving you. Don’t you think it will be a problem to have you near?”

“I don’t think she’sin love,” Lia reflected with another sigh. “I believe she started going downhill and tried to hold on to the past as a way of not completely losing her mind. I don’t think she’s quite alright.”

“To say the least.”

“We could try… If it gets to be a problem, we’ll address it when we have to.”

“Okay.” Quinn approved. “Let’s do it, then. She should fly back with us.”

“Thanks, darling. It means a lot.” Lia hugged her tight, then frowned impatiently. “What’s taking her so long? Hey, Brooke? You okay in there?”

In the silence that ensued, they exchanged a loaded glance. Then Quinn was up, and moving fast. She didn’t knock, did not wait, but punched the bathroom door open.

“Brooke!” Lia shouted.

“Call 911,” Quinn instructed and quickly knelt next to the unconscious woman on the floor. “Got a pulse,” she announced. “Weak, but it’s there. Brooke?” She tapped her cheeks. “Brooke! Open your eyes.”

On the phone, Lia precisely relayed her location and situation to the operator. “Yes, yes, I’ll stay on the line. Ah! She’s starting to come back!”

Brooke opened her eyes and immediately jolted at the sight of Quinn leaning over her.

“No… No!”