Hayley watched her sashay away and wanted to knock her flat off her too high heels, but instead she turned and fled to the parking lot.

  “Why can’t either of us find a butch who’s not an asshole?” Lucy said when she ran to catch up with her.

  “Because they’re either taken or stupid. In this case a little of both because Joe’s brain is wired to be an asshole when it comes to women. I’ve never met a woman who’s such a bastard and pretended so convincingly that she’s not.” She walked to her car and fought the urge to call Pippa Potts and list her house. “Shit, I’m such an idiot.”

  “Hey.” Lucy put her arms around her and let her cry. “It was the ass, and we both fell for it. Once you married her, I was praying you would both become swingers. It would have given me a shot at getting her into bed.”

  “Shut up, and she’s all yours.” She wiped her face and unlocked the car.

  “Are you kidding? Did you happen to see who she picked? That’s an awful human being right there, even if I would’ve totally stolen her purse. That dress, though, was something I wouldn’t even buy at the Salvation Army’s thrift store in the dollar section.”

  “And they have kids.” She beat the steering wheel a few times before starting the car. “That’s the lowest form of worm there is, and I can’t wait to hear my mother tell me I told you so. She’s no killer or thief, but asshole is all her.”

  “There’s no need to feed Eliot Ness any information. That would be like me telling my mother I found a doctor who’s madly in love with me and wants her mother-in-law to live with us.” Lucy held her hand and leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Get driving, and we’ll have a platonic sleepover. There’s not much night left, but tomorrow morning we’ll prank-call Roberta Sue and egg the Fuller house to make ourselves feel better.”

  They got back to her house, and she fell into bed without changing. She made a to-do list before falling asleep. The first item on it was to stop being so naive, and the second was to get some blinds. Letting anyone into her life via her windows was over.

  Her alarm went off three hours later, and if she’d had a gun, she would’ve shot it. Lucy seemed oblivious to her alarm, so she left her in bed to take a shower.

  When she dressed, she noticed the guys next door had started for the day, but there was no Joe or DJ. “Forget about that asshole.” She left Lucy a note and left early, keeping her head down so she didn’t have to talk to anyone. Of course Marlo was already there and ready to start a lengthy conversation. Nothing happened in the neighborhood Marlo didn’t know about.

  “You want to explain what in the world happened? Tippy and I got up early and craved some pancakes. Magnolia’s was packed even for that time of the morning, and there was plenty of gossip.”

  “I’ll just bet.” She reached for her phone when it buzzed, expecting her mother, because why not. It was that kind of day, and it was only the beginning. But the screen said Joe. This would be the perfect way to finish this, since she had no desire to see Joe again. Blinds and a tall fence would take care of the rest.

  “Hayley?” Joe’s deep voice still had the same effect on her.

  “Yes? What can I do for you?” She clipped the words, trying to ignore Marlo’s raised eyebrow.

  “I want to apologize for last night.” Joe sounded drained, but she wasn’t falling for that. She’d given up naivety last night.

  “Is that all you’re apologizing for? I’d think forgetting to mention your wife and children should be added to that list. Then end with I’m sorry for playing me for an idiot.”

  “Hayley, please,” Joe said, her voice staying soft and flat. “What exactly are you talking about? What wife and kids?”

  “Please. Playing stupid now isn’t going to work, so do me a favor and stay the hell away from me.”

  “I don’t know what you mean, but you’re wrong. I’m not married, and I sure as hell don’t have any kids.”

  She laughed. “Do you remember me asking you not to lie to me? It’s all I asked of you. Just that one thing, goddamn it.”

  “And I didn’t.” Joe’s tone never changed.

  “Honey, I met your charming other half at the hospital. Run on back home so you both can have a good laugh about me.” She doubted Joe heard that last part because the line went dead. It should’ve been her who hung up in a snit. Why did people have to be so horrible?

  “You want to tell me what that was about?” Marlo asked.

  Maybe the story would get less humiliating the more she told it. She went through what had happened and the date she’d gone on with Joe. “After they rushed her to the hospital, Lucy and I waited and met her wife, who told us about their family. I’m such a moron.”

  Marlo contemplatively tapped her cigarette on the table. “The thing about Maybelle and all the people in that diner is they’re all about the gossip. They serve more of it than pancakes.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” She loved Marlo, but her point was something she had a hard time finding sometimes. “I just want to get some work done, and I apologize, but I don’t want to talk anymore.”

  “I understand that, but you’re going to listen. I heard from Gwen this morning because she knew I was close to you. Getting to the truth has everything to do with tipping the right person. Gwen loves Joe, and she listens to that gossip with an eye to truth instead of bile. Turns out the wife you met is Maybelle’s niece, and she wants a relationship with Joe but doesn’t have one. You can’t force someone to love you, though, and Joe doesn’t give that woman the time of day. Blanche—that’s the niece—came down here in search of Joe and got the scoop on you and Joe from Maybelle, and she happened to be here when everything went down at Joe’s place. Joe’s no more married than you are, and Blanche managed to take advantage of the situation.”

  Hayley thought of the woman’s declaration in the hospital. She’d certainly seemed to believe herself. “That can’t be right. Are you sure?”

  “Hayley.” Marlo stood like she was leaving now that Hayley wanted her to stay. “I’ve never met Joe, but she didn’t lie to you. The woman you met played you, not Joe, and you believed her instead of your instincts. Try not to do that. It’ll make you miserable.”

  “Oh Jesus,” she said. Way to go out of her way to be a bitch just when Joe really needed her. “Could you excuse me a minute?”

  “Sure, and I doubt she’s going to answer the phone after your charm offensive, so get going. You need a Tippy in your life. I highly recommend it, and it sounds like you have one out there waiting for you.” Marlo wandered out, shaking her head and muttering about stubborn women.

  “Please pick up.” She dialed Joe back, but Marlo was right. The phone rang until the message that the mailbox wasn’t set up came on. “Of all times to be bitchy and race toward assumptions.” She grabbed her purse and headed out, only to find their new author waiting outside. “Hey, did I forget a meeting?”

  “I was headed to my favorite writing spot and had a few questions for you, but only if you have time.” She smiled and pointed at Hayley’s hand with the keys in it. “Are you late for something?”

  The problem with being a responsible adult was being a responsible adult. This woman was important to their bottom line, and Joe was still an unknown. Gambling wasn’t in her nature. From the time she was little, she’d made plans to get and exceed the goals she set for herself.

  Being here with Marlo, working for her, was part of a plan, as was building the company to something bigger than when she’d joined it. It was the best way of saying Hey, look what I did. She’d need that if she was going to lead a team in New York. Meeting with this woman was part of the plan, and doing so meant putting her personal life on hold—again. The thing about goals and dreams, though, was they were no good if you didn’t have someone to share them with.

  Pining for Joe had made her realize that perhaps she needed someone to get under her skin and be underfoot. Learning to live with someone was the first step in learning to love them. She had to stop idealizing what she wanted and accept that she’d found the one person who might aggravate her on occasion but who would also be there to hold her when the world became a scary place.

  She smiled back and nodded. “Actually, I have an appointment, but Marlo’s inside. I’m sure she’d be glad to discuss whatever’s on your mind.” Fuck responsibility for the day. She thought about what her father had told her about having fun. Joe was fun, made her happy, and was about to blow her ordered life all to hell if she couldn’t get her to talk to her. “If not, just give me a call.”

  She ran to her car and took the fastest route home. The guys were all there working on Joe’s house, making progress on the rest of the outside. They paused when she parked and ran past them to the open door. “Joe,” she yelled from the foyer. There was noise coming from upstairs, so that’s where she headed and ran into DJ with a wrench in his hand.

  “Hey, Miss Hayley.” He lifted the wrench to the side of his head and saluted her with it. “Come for a tour?”

  “I was looking for Joe. Her truck’s outside, so where is she?” She started walking, glancing in each room as she went. “Joe!”

  “I picked her up at the hospital this morning, but she had a doctor’s appointment at the clinic, so she’s not here.” He slammed into her when she stopped short.

  “You let her go alone?” She remembered how Joe sounded that morning.

  “We all offered to take her.” DJ sounded wounded. “Joe’s good people and our friend. She was tired because of the concussion and all, so she took a cab.”

  “What clinic?” All the anger she felt that morning was giving way to the type of anxiety that made her want to peel her skin off. How could she have gotten this so wrong? She’d found everything she’d ever wanted, and she’d wadded it up and tossed it away.

  “I’m not sure. She gave me a key and said she might take a few days off because of the noise. Do you need her number?”

  “No, I have it, thanks. Would you tell her to call me if you hear from her?” Crying wasn’t something she did often, but her tears fell to release the pressure. DJ appeared at a loss as to what to do, so he handed her his handkerchief and patted her shoulder in the most patronizing way possible.

  “She’ll be okay, and I’m sure she’ll call when she’s done. Me and the guys know she’s really sweet on you, so it won’t take long before she does.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “She called me for Daisy’s number to send you flowers, and she’s fixing this place so she can have you over. I guess it’s for her comfort too, but she started on your side, and that should tell you something, since it would have made more sense to start on the other side. You want me to walk you home?” DJ was a little strange, but he was a nice guy.

  “Thanks, DJ.” She kissed his cheek and shook her head. “Hey,” she said as she walked back to the stairs, “did she take anything?”

  “She packed all the journals we found in the walls. You know how those doctors’ offices are. She probably wanted something to read. That was it, though, so I’m sure she’ll be back.”

  “I’m sure she will.” Somehow, though, she couldn’t help but feel the sunshine Joe had brought into her life beginning to fade.

  * * *

  She’d been completely wrong about Joe coming back. It’d been an entire month of unanswered calls and ignored texts. She’d even sent a pleading email to the address Joe used for the sexy story submissions, but there’d been no reply. Joe hadn’t come back, but the work had continued. The Fuller house had been completely restored outside and painted a light gray with white and black accents, which, according to JD the painter, was the original combination.

  DJ had taken her on a couple of tours as the bathrooms were finished. They were now ripping out the kitchen and tearing down the old gazebo at the back of the yard. Joe was gone, but she communicated with DJ to keep the project going. That meant Joe’s phone worked—she just didn’t want to talk to her.

  There were mistakes like forgetting to pay a utility bill, and then there were mistakes like telling the one woman who’d made her burn in the best possible way to fuck off. One took a check and an apology, the other took oodles of time and self-recrimination. A month wasn’t long enough to get over the self-inflicted wounds. She was waiting for Lucy to arrive as she sat outside and watched the workman laying new sod. Her phone rang.

  “Hey, Mom.” Her mother called more often and had dropped her quest to investigate Joe. Thankfully, she’d accepted Hayley’s explanation and had avoided the lecture about what could happen if you jumped to conclusions.

  “Hey, I saw on the national news that your weather is beautiful. Are you doing anything today?” That was her mom’s way of dropping a hint and also suggested that her father’s love of The Weather Channel was starting to rub off.

  “Lucy’s coming over, so we can go to lunch. How are you guys?” She always answered the phone but talking to anyone wasn’t high on her priority list these days. Her mom gave her a rundown of her dad’s activities that now included a home brewery where he was trying different blends of hops so he could decide what to plant.

  She eyed George as he headed up the walk to her porch. “I’ll call you later, Mom—George is here.” Seeing him reminded her that she needed to take lessons in meditation, so she could zone out when he started talking.

  “What in the world?” The truck that rolled by made her forget George.

  It wasn’t every day that you saw a large woman in pasties and a thong hanging on to a pole. The lifelike statue that looked like something usually found on Mardi Gras floats was strapped down on its back as a truck stopped in front of Joe’s place. “What the hell is that?”

  “That’s something, huh?” George sat next to her and pointed next door where all Joe’s buddies were cheering and high-fiving each other. “Wally told me he agreed to six months of meter maid duty, and his grandmother had to agree to a single golf hole. It’ll be the only putt-putt hole going in, and it was the only way both the Waltons didn’t end up homeless from the lawsuit their attorney assured them they were going to lose thanks to the video you took.” George sighed. “That thing should pick up the traffic on our street.”

  “You have to admit, it’s pretty funny.” The thing was probably twelve feet tall, and it was already drawing a crowd.

  “Yeah, DJ and the guys have been pretty excited about it, but they don’t have to live here. It’ll bring down property values, mark my word.”

  DJ and his crew were taking pictures of themselves in front of the thing once the woman was upright. “I can’t be sure, but I doubt Joe will keep it up forever. This is more of a warning not to trespass or tase her again. She’s not someone you can bully. That she didn’t have Wally fired and Roberta arrested was generous.”

  “Yeah, that’s what Wally said even if he’s having to bag groceries at the Magnolia Market after writing tickets all day.”

  Lucy joined them on the porch and laughed for ten minutes straight. It took a while before she noticed that Joe’s new lawn ornament bore an uncanny resemblance to Maybelle, albeit with a much better body. It was proof Joe wasn’t someone you wanted to take on, but instead of making her laugh, she started crying again.

  “It’s going to be fine. Fabio’s grandmother told me to pass along that it won’t be long now. It’s in the tarot cards, and she also said not to forget to throw out some wishes.” Lucy held her and let her cry.

  If only that were true. She couldn’t walk this one back, and it had cost her.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Wyatt glanced out the window of her office in her brownstone and thought back to her last conversation with Hayley. The only other times she’d been that mad were at the gas company for killing her parents, and at Blanche for fucking her over. There was little she hated more than being called a liar, and Hayley had not only blatantly done so, but she’d refused to hear her out when she’d tried to explain. She’d been tased, concussed, stitched, and had to deal with Blanche, and then Hayley had turned against her in the blink of an eye. She hadn’t needed to hear anything else.

  She probably hadn’t been thinking straight, but instead of going to the clinic on that last day, she’d gone to the airport and taken the first flight home, risking the brain cells that had survived. All she’d taken were Lydia’s journals, which she’d reread a few times. It was good to know there were in fact happily ever afters in the world.

  Right now, after one of the worst and loneliest months of her life, she put all that aside and got dressed for her meeting with Virgil Billingsley. He’d agreed to come to her, and she was sure he’d be pissed when she didn’t give him anything he wanted. Their conversation forty minutes later went about how she expected. Virgil was a man who was trying very hard to keep his cool when she wouldn’t bend to his will.

  “Wyatt, we’ve been good to you, so I’m asking you to reconsider.”

  “Staying isn’t fair to you because I’m still not in a place to rejoin the grind. I’m going to try new things, and they won’t fit what you want from me.” She held her hand out. “Believe me, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but it’s time to try new things.”

  He took her hand and shrugged, looking satisfied with that. “Good luck and don’t lose my number.”

  She put out a press release a week later so her phone would stop ringing with people who wanted desperately to know her next move. That was a mistake—they just wanted even more information. The manuscript she’d started in New Orleans was done, so she relaxed with Lydia and Sam and her favorite part of their story.