Page 33 of Love Conquers All

Graham continued to study her as though pieces of the puzzle of their lives were clicking into place—twenty-three years later.

“A minor in Manhattan,” Hilary said, whistling.

Sylvie suddenly didn’t want to talk about herself any longer. It was as though the past was creeping up behind her, whispering to her, reminding her of how difficult those days had been. She’d fought her way out of them and become a household name in the environmental sphere. She’d lost and lost and lost along the way. But she was still here. So was the planet. Did that mean it wasn’t too late to save them both?

After a delicious dessert of homemade ice cream, Sylvie walked Graham to his car. Graham’s eyes were lit up, and he was animated after bursts of laughter shared with Hilary and Max on the veranda. Sylvie crossed her arms so hard over her chest that they felt strained.

She wanted to kiss him, she realized. But a moment later, she remembered that his wife was dead, that they were forty years old, and that it was best not to overcomplicate things when everything was already such a mess.

What she really needed was a friend from the past—someone who understood all those early parts of her.

She didn’t have many friends, period.

She said, “I’m glad you came over tonight.”

Graham scanned the gorgeous mansion before them. “I can’t believe you’re staying here.”

Sylvie grinned mischievously. She couldn’t believe her luck either.

“I heard a rumor that your mess from the other day went away.”

Graham’s eyes swam with curiosity. “It was Hilary, wasn’t it? She made them drop the charges?”

“She’s got people everywhere,” Sylvie affirmed. “I’m not sure who she called or who she donated to, but she cleared it up in the span of an hour. I heard her on the phone while I was moving my stuff in.”

Graham whistled long and low.

“She said she owes you,” Sylvie said. “From before in California.”

“It’s rare to meet someone with a memory like that,” Graham offered. “Usually, people are eager to forget what you’ve done for them.”

Sylvie wasn’t sure if that was meant as a jab against her or not. She bit her lip.

“Listen,” Sylvie said tentatively. “I’m supposed to go to Alabama in a few days. It’s for an article. An interview with a guy who owns an alligator farm, if you can believe that. I was going to bail on it, but I don’t know. I don’t want to completely abandon my life.”

“The people need you,” Graham said. She hoped he wasn’t being sarcastic.

“It’s just that the lawyer says the inn has to be up and running soon,” Sylvie said. “Otherwise, it’ll be sold. Neither of us wants that.”

“What do you need me to do?”

Sylvie’s smile was enormous. “You really don’t have to help me.”

“I want to,” Graham told her. “Now that I don’t have a lawsuit on my hands, I have a whole lot more free time.”

Sylvie pulled her fingers through her hair. “Why don’t we meet at the inn tomorrow? We can hatch a plan.”

“Like the old days?”

Sylvie laughed. “Fewer handcuffs, I think.”

“No fun.”

Sylvie’s laughter rang out, echoing across the bluffs. Before she could stop herself, she said, “I missed you, Graham.”

Graham’s lips parted. “Sylvie,” he began, then took a breath.

Sylvie raised both hands. “You don’t have to say anything to that. I just thought I’d tell you.”

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