Page 32

“WAKE UP, SUNSHINE.” I pull the comforter off Luce and snap open the blinds.
“Evil bitch,” she groans throwing an arm over her eyes.
“No, you don’t,” I tell her in a singsong voice as she replaces her arm with a pillow and buries her head. “We need to get a move on before they ride back. I need to visit the cemetery now that my bodyguards are gone and you’re treating me to that manicure.”
“Ughhhh, what time is it?” She moans.
“Seven. Come on. Coffee’s done,” I slap her butt hard.
“Oww!”
I shake my head in envy at how Luce doesn’t need to work out to have a killer bod. She’s petite, naturally slim and I’ve seen her eat half a pizza and still have a flat stomach the next day. Her honey colored hair is naturally wavy and she’s tan from spending her weekends at the lake.
“Someday.”
“What?” She asks.
“Someday your prince is gonna come, Luce.”
“He better,” she grumbles sitting up. “And then, I’m gonna come.”
“Dirty slut.”
“You know it,” she winks.
“I’m so sorry.” Her hand comes up to my shoulder.
“It’s stupid. I don’t even know why I’m crying.”
“Yes, you do. She was… she gave you, life.”
“Then she gave me up,” I mutter wiping my face. “The new stone looks good though. No one’s been here to deface it,” I half-joke drying the rest of my tears on the bottom of my T-shirt. “You know what? I think you’re right and I’m going to call mymothertoday.”
“Good. What are you going to do about Roger? Are you going to tell him who you are?”
Hands twisting the ends of my shirt up I answer on a whisper, “I don’t know. I’m afraid. I’m afraid he won’t look at me the same way.”
“Like he wants to devour you?”
I nod.
She sucks in a breath. “I can’t wait to meet this guy. Come on, the nail salon opens at nine.”
“Hold on, I need to visit my father’s grave first.”
Luce shakes her head. “What tragic lives they had. Did you find out anything about him?”
“No. Not yet. I thought it might be suspicious if I started asking about them both at the same time.”
“I just hope that if… when… you reveal your identity, it doesn’t blow up in your face.”
“Me too. But if it does, it does. I need to keep reminding myself that I came here for answers not romance.”
“There’s nothing wrong with finding both.”
“I wish it were that simple. But I’m not sure Rog is going to understand.”
“I’ll kick his ass if he doesn’t.”