Page 185 of Chandelier Enthralled
“Not sure that’s a good thing,” I mused.
Rose leaned over and kissed my forehead again. “See you soon.”
I started to respond but no words came out. She’d been here when I really needed her and that was more than I could ever have asked for. She’d always been the one I could talk to, the one who “got” me.
She strolled out of the restaurant, leaving me alone with Greyson. He took a seat again and gave an approving nod. “So that’s where you get it from.”
“I do take after her.”
“In the nature of transparency,” he said. “I came by Cameron’s place yesterday to thank you for what you did, finding the footage that cleared me.”
“Well, you could still have paid someone to do it.”
“Thank you, Willa.”
I smiled, feeling nervous. “What did you mean by transparency?”
“I didn’t come in to see you yesterday because I saw Hugo there.”
I met his gaze. “Me talking with him?”
“Yes.” He leaned forward. “Just make sure you’ve given this some thought.”
I gave Greyson the look that comment deserved. “Hugo asked me to go back to New York with him. I let him know that was never going to happen. While he was here, I had my locks changed back in the city. He can’t return to what used to be our home. Cameron flew him back on the jet, accompanied by Shay.”
“Shay?”
“Yes, we’ve had Hugo sign an NDA. He was reluctant, but did it because…”
“Because…Shay.”
“Exactly.”
“You’re not…?”
“Hugo is out of my life for good.”
His shoulders relaxed. “I just want you to be happy.”
“I want the same for you.”
“You’ve helped the investigation along. We’re dealing with what we discovered on the footage.”
“Dealing with her murderer?”
“We’re gathering more evidence first.”
“This puts Pendulum on the map.”
“It does.”
“Which is what you didn’t want.”
“Too late now.”
“I wonder how Aunt Rose knew about Pendulum.”
“I think we both know the answer to that.” He caressed his brow, seemingly thrown by having had lunch with the great Rose Cole.
