Page 209 of Sinful Lies

All that mattered now was him.

Chapter

Forty-Seven

“The phoenix must burn to emerge.”

?Janet Fitch

Jade

“I never thought I’d say this, but… I’m going to miss you, Miss Whitenhouse. Who am I going to gossip about now that you’re leaving us?”

I let out a scoff as I packed my things into cardboard boxes for the movers. The office was almost empty now—just a few picture frames, mirrors, and personal knick-knacks left behind.

Six years in this office, and I’d be lying if I said leaving wasn’t tugging at my heart. But the adventure ahead was far more exciting.

“Grace,” I sighed, sitting back behind my desk, my heels tapping against the floor. “We may have hated each other over the years, but I need to be honest with you.”

Her brow arched, curiosity piqued.

“You make the best chocolate muffins ever.”

Her eyes widened in realization. “Youwere the one stealing them from Mr. Lazzio’s fridge?”

Oops. I’d definitely just screwed up.

I cleared my throat, suddenly fascinated by the contents of my bag. I rummaged through it, searching for… nothing, really. Anything to dodge the flames of her wrath.

“You little devil!” she practically shrieked. “Were you also the one stealing the chocolates my husband got him every year for his birthday? The ones filled with?—”

I snapped my bag shut with a decisiveclickand bolted to my feet. “Oh, would you look at the time! Totally forgot—I have an appointment with the accountant. Bye, oldie!”

I made a beeline for the door, her indignant curses trailing behind me like a bad perfume. By the time I reached the elevator, I was frantically tapping the button like my life depended on it.

When the doors slid open, I ducked inside, safe for now.

Today was my last day here, and if I was leaving, I was doing it on my terms—with a bang.

Or, more accurately, by annoying my boss—or soon-to-be ex-boss—one last time.

It had been a month since our trip to Bay Village. Three days of strolling through my childhood memories—my old school, the house I’d grown up in (now home to a sweet couple with twin daughters), the spot where I’d gotten my one and only tattoo, and even the place where I’d had my first kiss.

Naturally, Angelo asked for a name.

Naturally, I didn’t tell him.

I wasn’t about to hand him a reason to hunt down some guy who didn’t even remember me.

I asked him about Luciana, his uncle’s wife, and why he had helped her vanish into the shadows. He said it was to free herfrom the weight of her demons, to give her a chance to breathe in a new life.

I told him he had done the same for me, and he kissed me—deep and wet—whispering against my lips that I was the one who had saved him from his own.

I also introduced him to my Aunt Krissy and Uncle Jack, and the reunion was… heavy. Emotional, guilt-ridden, bittersweet.

The way they looked at me—shocked, hopeful, hurt—was something I’d carry with me forever.

But it had brought a strange kind of closure, too.

---