“That’s not it. You seem spooked about something.”
Bianca hesitated, then she let out a deep sigh. “I got a message from anunknown number.”
Remi blinked. “What kind of message?”
Bianca lowered her voice. “They told me to stay away. Said I wasn’t invisible.”
Remi’s expression turned sharp, concerned. “That’s … creepy. Who do you think it was? You think it’s Harry’s new girlfriend?”
Bianca shook her head. “No.”
“Well, who, then? Tell me.”
Bianca sighed and hesitated before saying, “I was sort of dating this guy recently, and he wasn’t very happy when I broke things off.”
“What guy? You haven’t told me about anyone new.” Remi’s eyes settled on her, studying her friend. They had shared everything with each other since childhood.
“We were keeping a low profile. I didn’t want to tell you until I thought it was something to tell.” Bianca smiled sheepishly. “Plus, you’ve been busy with your classes and laying the groundwork for your business. Then Gerard …”
“Not too busy for you,” Remi said. “You should’ve told me about him.”
“He’s stalking me.”
“Bianca!” Remi’s voice dripped with concern. No … with fear.
“I know. I didn’t want to tell you. Didn’t want you to worry.”
“Well, now I am worried. Have you gone to the police?”
Before Bianca could answer, a tall, handsome man approached their table and interrupted their conversation. “Remi, is that you?”
“Leo.” Remi rose to her feet and hugged the man. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” He grinned, showing off a beautiful set of white teeth. With deep curls in his hair, the body of a gym rat, and perfect, flawless skin the color of chocolate, he asked, “Gerard playing a round of golf this morning?”
Remi’s face was solemn at the sound of Gerard’s name. The painful thought that he would no longer play a round of golf ever again pierced her heart. The more days that passed, the reality of his absence was becoming even clearer, and with Leo standing in front of her asking a question that she so desperately hated answering—awaiting an explanation that she was already so tired of repeating, caused her further pain. Her shoulders were slumped, and with a toneless, quiet voice she said, “Leo … Gerard had a heart attack last month. We lost him.”
The color left Leo’s skin immediately. His face became a dull, grayish color. He stared at Remi for a moment, as if he expected her to tell him something different.
“Oh no, Remi. I had no idea. I’m so sorry.” His hand stroked her arm. The genuineness of his tone was clear, and without hesitation, he pulled her into a firm hug; a solid, endearing one.
As Leo wrapped his arms around Remi, she caught sight of Bianca just over his shoulder. Her friend’s eyes flicked to the bare ring finger on Leo’s left hand, then back to Remi with a lifted brow. The gesture was small but unmistakable. Remi knew that look. Bianca’s curiosity was piqued, her silent question loud as hell: Who exactly is this man, and is he single?
“Thank you.” Remi rested her palm against Leo’s chest. She took her seat.
“Gerard was a great guy. He’ll certainly be missed. I wish I had known. I’d have flown to New Orleans for the services.”
Remi offered a light smile. There were times when she could live in the moment and not think about Gerard’s death, or the services, or the grief that consumed her at least twenty-three of the twenty-four hours in each day, but this wasn’t one of those moments. No, at this moment she was back in New Orleans at the funeral.
“I know you would have. And I’m so sorry I didn’t call. It just all happened so quickly. The heart attack, the services … everything. And it was an intimate service.”
Remi was still fragile, triggered. And suddenly she felt guilty for not reaching out to Leo after Gerard’s heart attack. She’d been wrapped in her own pain, but it was no excuse. They had been like brothers.
“I’m Bianca,” she interrupted, and reached her hand to Leo. “Remi’s oldest and fiercest ally.”
“Pleased to meet you, Bianca. I’m Leo.”
Remi gathered her emotions. “Leo is a good friend and he owns the property next to ours.”