Page 54 of Recklessly Rogue

“And this isn’t my usual shift,” I remind him.

“I know. So I’m closing the place down for the rest of the day. And night,” he says.

I open my mouth to argue. But yawn again.

He gives me a look that says he knows I was going to argue. “I’m closing the bar for the rest of the day and night. We’re going home.”

I really do want to go home.

There isn’t a regular crowd in the evenings. At least not like this group. And none of these people will stay past four.

“Okay,” I agree. “I drove April over. I can just give her my keys.”

He frowns. “Well, obviously, she and Elliot will be coming with us.”

“She’s going over to Will and Mandy’s tonight for dinner. They’re going to tell Elliot that they’re moving in there next week. They’re also going to let him pick out what color he wants to paint his bedroom.”

Henry takes in that information, then shakes his head. “Someone’s driving her over there and picking her up.”

“Okay,” I agree. I’m easy. Not only am I too tired to argue with him, he’s right. We are protecting April until we can get everything settled. She’s come up with a plan that she likes, regardless of Henry’s feelings, but we can still do our best to make sure that she is constantly surrounded by allies. “But April wants to stop at the grocery store so she can make a salad. She wants to contribute to dinner.”

“Fine. I can take her to the grocery store. Or she can give me a list and I can just get the stuff.”

I smile. “How about I take her to the grocery store and then over to Mandy’s? I’ll grab something for us for dinner too.” I lean onto the bar. “It’ll just be the two of us. What do you want?”

I don’t miss the way his gaze drops to my mouth. “I am pretty hungry now that you mention it.”

“I’ll pick something quick and easy.”

I don’t really care what we do for dinner, but I want it to be simple. Because Henry and I need to talk. April is basically takencare of. I think the plan with Mandy and Will is just fine. They’ll all be happy with it and April will be safe.

I understand Henry’s side of it. April going to stay with her sister in Cincinnati would put distance between her and Christopher, but April shouldn’t have to leave her home. If she wants to stay in Emerald, then we need to find a way to help her do that and still be safe.

She has a huge community of people around her. I also understand that she doesn’t want to start over somewhere else. I’ve done it a lot of times. I’m good at it. But I’ve always moved out of necessity. I’ve found new people because I need people around me. That doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t rather just stay in one place where I’m comfortable and happy, with people I know, trust, and love.

I feel my throat tighten.

I’ve lived in New Orleans before. It will be fine. I’ll be fine.

I focus on April again. This is about April and Elliot, not me.

There will no doubt be some kind of arrangement that has to be made for visitation and custody of Elliot. Being here in Emerald will make that easier, too.

I blow out a breath. Yes, this plan for April is good, and so Henry and I don’t need to do much more. Or anything more, really. We helped. Now our part in this situation is done.

Henry can go meet up with Cian and Scarlett in Portland.

They just got there this afternoon. He hasn’t even really missed anything yet.

We finish cleaning up the bar, Henry pitching in, and everyone is out the door by four-thirty. Will takes Elliot home with him so April and I can stop by the grocery store.

“To the store, then to Will and Mandy’s, then home,” Henry says as he walks us to my car.

“Yes. Promise,” I tell him.

“Call me if there are any problems.”

“There won’t be any problems.”

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