Page 81 of Love Over Time

Henry chuckled. “That must’ve taken a lot out of her.”

“Did you ask her to say that?” Lisa asked.

“No, we didn’t,” I said. “She feels terrible. She spent a great deal of time fraternizing with a killer. She has a lot of making up to do.”

“Yeah. Russ tells me that a lot of people are wondering if she had anything to do with the murder. After all, Francesca got away with it for so long only because of Mrs. Blaine’s testimony. It gave Francesca the alibi she needed.” Henry put his hands on his hips. “I promise she won’t cause any problems for you. If she does, come talk to me.”

“Thanks.” Lisa shook her head once. “I can’t seem to stop saying that word. Everything is exactly how I’d imagined it.”

“No need to thank us. Now go eat and enjoy your party.” I pushed her toward the nearest table. She sat down, and Mrs. Blaine promptly set a plate of food in front of her. She took the chair next to Lisa and poured champagne into two glasses.

Russ sat on the other side of Lisa and offered her his hand. Lisa shook it, cheeks red as she sipped from her glass. She had spent half of her life in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. How long would it take for her to truly feel like she’d come home, to let go of the past and live in the moment? God knew I still struggled with it—this anger still sat in the pit of my stomach. But over time I was sure that would go away too. We had a lifetime to make up for the years Francesca stole from us.

“This doesn’t even begin to make up for all the years she lost.” Henry guessed my thoughts.

I cupped his face. “None of this was your fault. We were kids. There was nothing we could’ve done to stop them. But it’s over now. Do you see that?” He nodded and snaked his hands around my waist. Melting into him, I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my mouth to his. “Thank you. This was the best surprise. Lisa looks so happy. Stunned. But happy.”

“Nothing short of this could’ve gotten me out of bed today.” He nuzzled the sensitive spot behind my ear. “Dance with me.”

I could’ve stayed in bed all day too. Pulling me to the area near the stairs, where other people swayed to the jazzy tune the band played, he turned me a couple times before he brought me close to him.

Everything was as I remembered it. The sparkly chandelier, the laughter of lovers dancing and drinking champagne. Just as it’d been before our lives were uprooted. Before we all became prisoners of one deluded maniac.

“I wish Tessa were here.”

“She’ll be with us soon enough. Don’t worry. We’re a family. No one can take that away from us.” He brushed his thumb over my cheek as his thighs guided me into a turn across the dance floor.

“I didn’t know you could dance.”

“We kind of skipped that whole first-date stuff. Didn’t we?”

“We kind of did.”

He met my gaze. “Would you like to go out with me sometime?”

“I would love to.” I beamed at him.

“This Friday?”

“I can make Friday work. I’m retired now, so I have a lot of free time.”

He laughed. “No more cons, huh?”

I raised my hand, doing my best Girl Scout salute. “No more cons.”

Yeah, love was for fools. But fools lived happiest.

Epilogue

No One Else Will Do

Nikki

“Come on. We’re going to be late to our first date.” Henry kissed the small of my back. His lips lingered where my spine curved, sending goose bumps down my legs.

God, I love Paris.

“I thought the trip was the date.” I stretched on the king-size bed, turning my head to the side so I could see out the window, where the Eiffel Tower peered over the buildings. The hotel room was beautiful, done in various shades of creams and taupe. Mirrored bedside tables crowned the big bed. In the living area, plush beige sofas were arranged to face the incredible view. Even the all-white bouquets of flowers in gold vases matched the decor.

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