Page 54 of Toni and Addie Go Viral

Toni

When Toni woke in Addie’s bed alone after a good nap, she was tempted to head out to explore the French Quarter. It had been years since she’d been here, and the last time was for an academic conference, so it had not been exactly the sort of free time she had this weekend.

But I want to explore with Addie.

Toni pulled out her laptop instead. The Widow’s Curse was coming along well, and there was no need to go wandering without Addie.

The last thing she wanted was for Adelaine to be here alone and have to deal with Philip.

If they filmed the final scenes with him, they could let him go in a matter of weeks. A few weeks. That was it.

How secure is Addie’s LA apartment?

The thought popped up intrusively. Toni wasn’t even sure she wanted to think about that. Addie in LA, vulnerable. Maybe I should go stay with her.

The thought wasn’t even fully formed before Toni reminded herself that she had obligations in DC—to her job and to her mother. Addie needs someone in her life who can be there for her. She shoved the thought away.

First crisis first.

Toni fell into the story of a late-night Victorian world with its gas lamps and gardens; in some ways it wasn’t too dissimilar from parts of Edinburgh or New Orleans, if one ignored the modern elements that crept in.

Of course, her character was hunting a killer while vulnerable on the danger-filled streets.

The initial plan had been that Cousin Colin would have a personality evolution and become an ally. Now, Toni needed a new plan.

Or they can recast Colin?

She made a margin note to talk to her editor, Greta.

Changing the story for the sake of the show seemed extreme, but if there was another character—a bastard brother?

an old friend of her deceased husband? the brother of an ex-lover?

—who could fill that role, Toni would like it.

A gay man, ideally. And the role cast with a gay man. …

Her note-to-self grew longer as she started adding what could be an exciting plot shift.

By the time Addie texted—“Done in a few. See you at the hotel?”—Toni was ready for a break…

or maybe she just missed Addie. She’d spent most of the last few weeks writing when she wasn’t at the college or the gym, and she was far enough along on The Widow’s Curse that she could turn it in before her extension due date.

“Meet you at set,” Toni texted before she grabbed her wallet and opted for a jacket-free day. Unlike DC, where the autumn weather was chilly, New Orleans today was warm and humid enough that this wasn’t jacket weather.

Toni was grateful that the hotel was near the filming site and that she had a basic grasp of directions.

The streets were filling with tour groups, drunken tourists, and locals.

A plethora of costumes covered most of the crowd.

The French Quarter was already a thriving mass of revelry.

Fake spiderwebs, bones, and beads seemed to be festooning every possible surface.

Unlike the historical accuracy of the Cape Dove Manor weekend, this was a chaotic blend of everything under the sun.

By the time Toni reached the filming area, she was wishing she’d taken the time to dress in her suit.

When Toni walked up to the steel barricades that lined the perimeter, she had to catch the attention of security.

She flashed her access badge, and the man checked his clipboard.

Apparently, they had taken extra precautions as the day went on.

She couldn’t blame them, though. The crowd milling around the streets seemed to have quadrupled since morning.

A remarkable number of people wore semi-historical costumes, and the streets were as interesting as the decorations on the buildings.

A wedding party in black lace twirling black umbrellas danced by in a parade of beads and booze, accompanied by a jazz parade and what appeared to be at least three Baron Samedi look-alikes—one in a dress.

The set, however, was deserted in comparison to earlier.

Most of the actors and crew were gone. Toni looked around in confusion.

Inside the small space was a veritable oasis of peace.

And in that oasis was Addie, who was dressed in a scarlet gown that was far from her character’s usual modest ensemble.

Her chest was on abundant display, and ringlets were falling around her face—although the majority of her hair was pinned up like a proper Victorian woman.

Dainty boots peeked out from under heavy skirts that were a shade too short.

Rouge and dark-red lipstick completed the outfit.

“Damn. I’m not sure where to look, love. You are a vision.” Toni took a step back to fully appreciate the ensemble and woman wearing it.

“We shortened the skirt to keep it out of the streets,” Addie said.

“The length of your skirt was not anywhere on the list of what I was admiring,” Toni said.

Addie turned her neck where two bright marks showed as if she’d actually been bitten. “Costuming did me a favor.” She executed a small spin. “I was actually done an hour ago, but I thought—I mean, when in New Orleans…”

“You are magnificent.” Toni took her hand and gave her a small bow. “And I am here to volunteer as your willing victim.”

“They offered to give you a pair of fangs for the night,” Addie blurted out hurriedly. “A couple people waited after your whole monologue earlier, and I was thinking you could be a vampire since I have the bite.”

Toni laughed. “You know what? Why the hell not? Lead on.”

A short while later, Toni had a period suit and her prosthetic fangs, and they were walking through the crowds pouring out of bars and restaurants.

It was a crush, with music and drunks and costumed partiers everywhere.

They had been photographed by staid tourists as they worked toward the restaurant on Royal Street.

“You tell me if you change your mind on photos,” Addie repeated.

“They’re fine. It’s just tourists who like the costumes, and who can blame them?” Toni’s gaze swept over Addie again. “I am being accompanied by the most beautiful woman in the city.”

“Who is under your thrall,” Addie said cheerily.

They arrived at The Court of Two Sisters and were seated. Thank goodness for Marcela pulling strings on a reservation. Toni had already ordered a drink for both of them when Addie looked at her and said, “I feel like I am sometimes, you know.”

“Like you are what?”

“Under your thrall.” Addie blushed under her exaggerated costume makeup. “I swear I didn’t know people thought about sex this often until I met you.”

Toni looked at her, weighing just how honest to be, before saying, “You know it’s not just sex for me, don’t you?”

“I don’t want to presume,” Addie said quietly. “I’m never sure… you are confusing sometimes. I know you want me, and I think you feel… the things I do.”

“Addie…”

“It’s just hard to know what will make you run.” Addie smoothed the napkin in her lap. “I don’t want you to push me away or run. That’s getting tedious. If it keeps happening…”

“I’m here with you right now,” Toni said, reaching out for her hand.

Addie gave it to her, and they sat there like that for a moment.

“I want to be here,” Toni said. “Not just for sex. I accept it, Addie. We’re dating.”

“You sound sad about it,” Addie murmured.

They were still sitting in silence, hand in hand, when the server arrived and took their order.

Once the server left again, Toni looked at Addie and said, “My dad loved my mother with his everything, but he was a bastard. He would gamble away her royalties. She gave it all up for him… for me, really, too.”

“I’m not after your money,” Addie started, pulling her hand away.

Toni caught it. “I’m not worried about that. What if I’m like him? He destroyed everything he touched, and Lilian, my mother, was miserable. What if I ruin your life?”

“Toni…” Addie’s eyes glimmered like she might cry. “Your mother must be a very strong woman. I’d love to meet her next time I visit.”

Toni visibly flinched at the thought of taking Addie there.

Her mother was likely to look at Addie and think she was one of the women Toni’s dad had seduced.

Toni could admit in the privacy of her mind that Addie was definitely his type.

They hadn’t shared too many things, but this was one thing they had in common: a love for beautiful, curvaceous, hyper-feminine women.

“No one meets Lilian,” Toni managed to say. “I just don’t see that happening.”

“Right.” Addie’s expression went carefully blank. “So that’s the fear? Being like your dad? Hurting someone you… care about?”

Toni nodded. “Or what if I’m like her ? She doesn’t know who I am.

I don’t know how long it had been going on before he died, but she was already failing before I even knew.

She’s in memory care, and all things considered, she’s doing well.

But… she’s lost in her mind. I don’t know whether to be angry with him for dying or forgive him because it’s hard enough for me to handle when she doesn’t even know my name.

She thinks I’m my aunt or maybe that I’m one of ‘his floozies.’ Who could deal with that?

What if I end up like her? Or turn out to be a drunken selfish bastard like him? ”

At first Addie said nothing, but after Toni looked away, Addie said, “So you can’t have a relationship because your parents sucked at it? Is that the issue?”

Toni looked back at her, but then the server dropped off their drinks.

Once the server was gone, Addie let out a loud sigh and took a gulp of her drink. Then she looked at Toni. “Did they write novels?”

“What?” Toni scowled at her.

“Since you have to be just like them, which one was the novelist?” Addie stared at her. “Or the lesbian? How about history professor?”

“I see what you’re doing,” Toni managed to say. “It’s not like I think I’ll be like them in all ways—”

“Just the one that gives you an excuse not to fall in love with me?” Addie said calmly.

“If I fall in love, I can’t continue to see you.” Toni stared at her, willing her to understand. “I won’t let my feelings make me ruin your life.”

Addie took another drink. “Well, what happens if I fall in love with you? It doesn’t actually matter as long as you don’t love me, does it?”

Toni stared at her. “You’d tell me if you were…?”

Addie smiled cheerily. “I love spending time with you in and out of bed. I like being in your thrall. And you don’t love me, right?

There’s absolutely no reason to end something if it works for both of us.

Honestly, it’s not like either of us is considering ending her career to move across the country. Are you?”

For a moment, Toni just stared at her. She couldn’t ask that of Addie, which she knew, but she couldn’t quit her job and abandon Lil either. Carefully, she said, “I can’t move to California. I have a contract.”

“Good thing I didn’t ask you to, then, isn’t it?” Addie crossed her arms. “Honestly, if the sex wasn’t so good, all your hang-ups would be a major red flag. I guess they still are.”

“So we’re both okay with dating?” Toni said carefully. She’d just confessed the things that were keeping her from giving her heart to Addie, and Addie’s response felt like she was saying she could accept it.

“We are,” Addie said.

This was a turning point: Addie had given them permission to continue on as they were.

“I’m relieved. I would hate for this to end,” Toni confessed, and while she was at it, she added, “I came here because of what that asshat said, you know. I bought the tickets while we were on the phone.”

Addie shook her head. “I bet lots of friends do things like that. If someone threatened Emily, you’d be in New York, right?”

Toni paused. “I would.”

Addie shrugged with one shoulder. “No big deal then, you coming here.”

For a moment, Toni was certain that something was wrong, and she was missing it, so she asked, “So you’re okay with the fact that I can’t love you, and you can’t love me, and we will have to end this if either of us falls in love?”

“Yes.” Addie stood. “I need to run to the ladies’ room.”

Toni stood quickly. She wasn’t going to dress like a “gentleman” and not treat Addie correctly. “I’ll be right here waiting for you.”

Addie leaned close and brushed a kiss over her lips, and then she was gone.