Page 24 of Bittersweet Revenge

“What are you saying?”

“That she’s got well-connected people in her corner.” He let out a breath, looking at his watch again, and I realized by looking at the clock on the wall that our hour was almost up.

“Anyway, let me know if your friend can do it,” Antoine said. “I’ll get everything ready, and I’ll keep on looking into the librarian.”

I nodded, standing up to exit the room.

“And for what it’s worth, I do love her,” he added as I reached the door.

I turned around, arching an eyebrow.

He sighed, closing the book. “I do. Maybe not in a Romeo-and-Juliet kind of way, not with that kind of destructive passion, but I love her in a Freddie-and-Mary way, the real way. The way that counts.”

“I just don't want her to get hurt.”

“She won’t. Well, not because of me at least.”

I understood the message. Archie was the arrow in Taylor’s chest.

I texted Ben to tell him I needed to talk to him, then ended up skipping lunch when he texted right back to say he was available now.

I went to my car and dialed his number, shaking a little with apprehension. I was apprehensive because I was about to ask him something that could be dangerous. Something that he didn’t owe me. Something that could backfire greatly.

“So how is life back in Snob Town?” he asked with humor in his voice as he picked up the phone.

The last time I'd seen him in person, it hadn’t ended well, but things had gotten better with time. He’d helped before, and when I’d called him from California, I’d told him a lot of things.

“Interesting, to say the least,” I replied. After everything Antoine had said about tapping phones, I didn’t want to say too much. “Tell me, when are you getting your bike again? I liked the black one you had last time. What’s the make again?”

“The bike?” He was clearly confused.

I bit my bottom lip.Please get the message.“You know the black one you rode when you visited?”

“Oh… oh! That one? It’s a Yamaha R1.”

“How nice…”Is it?I thought, sitting in my over-the-top Bugatti.

“I– hmmm.” He stopped, probably trying to piece everything together. I couldn’t blame him. “I will probably get it back soon.”

I sighed with relief;he’d gotten the message. “Text me when you get it?”

“Of course. How is life treating you?”

“Not bad, all things considered… I’m long overdue for a trip to Port Harbor. I’ll go soon with my brother on a shopping trip. There is a little store there I like.”

“Ah,it’s nice that you’re settling in.”

“Yeah,” I knew he understand where I wanted to meet him. There we would discuss everything I couldn't say over the phone. “How come you can talk now? Aren’t you supposed to be in class?”

“It’s teacher training day and the football season is over for us.”

“I’m sorry.” Luke leaving had hurt the team and I felt a little responsible.

“Yeah, well, when two players get injured and we lose our coach, we’re lucky to even hit the playoffs.”

I winced. Luke had informed me of the rumors swirling around about the drama unfolding between him, William and me. He had wanted to start afresh and had left for a job in Maryland. I suspected he’d taken any job just to be closer to me.

“I miss you,” Ben whispered on a sigh.

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