“I remember.” Jane removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. Talking about all of this made it even more real—and terrifying.
“I just need to hear you promise me again. Worryin’ about her future has been keepin’ me up at night.”
Jane certainly understood where Georgia was coming from. Planning things always made her feel more comfortable.
“Of course, I’ll take Brady. I wouldn’t have signed the custody arrangement part if I didn’t mean it, but I won’t need to because we’re both going to make it through this.”
“Thank you for reassurin’ me.” There were tears in Georgia’s eyes.
“You’re welcome.” Jane rubbed her hands together and blew on them. They suddenly felt cold as ice. “Okay, let’s talk about something else.”
“Well, since you asked for it.” Georgia leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “How’s Byron?”
For once, Jane didn’t try to wriggle out of it. “He’s been nice, actually. Kind, even.”
“You think he’s nice?” She snapped her fingers. “Talk about progress. You like him, admit it.” Georgia said it in a sing-song tone which grated on Jane’s nerves.
“I tolerate him.”
Even as she said the words, Jane knew it was a lie. Byron Beauregard was more than the sum of his parts. He might be a former hitman and an Underboss in the Dixie Mafia, but he had depth. Sure, he’d done awful things, but he was protecting her. Jane was confused about him and didn’t have time at the moment to examine her feelings on the subject.
“Oh, please, don’t even try to deny it.” She bounced up and down in her seat. “This is exactly what I needed to cheer me up. I’m so excited for you.”
“There’s nothing to be happy about.”
“Yes, there is.”
“What’s goin’ on with your hotel room?” Georgia frowned as she glanced left and then right, peering through the screen. “Why is it so…fluffy?”
“We’re in the bridal suite.”
“Oh, my God!”
“I know.” Jane couldn’t believe it either. What a nightmare.
“No, Jane, this is me being pleased but shocked. It’s almost like fate put you two together. If anyone deserves a bit of fun, it’s you.”
“Fun went out the window when a serial killer confessed his love to me.”
“This is a silver linin’. I know you don’t like breaks from your routine, but if you don’t try new things, life gets boring. Remember when I first went to work for you? You wouldn’t even have lunch with me.”
“I used to get a lot of work done on the lunch hour.”
“Yes, but think about the good times we have at the salad bar now.”
She’d resisted at first because it wasn’t “appropriate” for her to “fraternize” with an employee. But Georgia was persistent, and Jane was ultimately glad she did. Georgia had become her best friend. Still, having a relationship with Byron Beauregard would cause a lot of headaches.
“You’re in a bridal suite with a handsome man tryin’ to save your life. Sounds like a fun, new experience to me.”
“A man who also happens to be a mass murderer. This isn’t a romantic movie I’m starring in, Georgia, it’s a slasher film.”
“I only want you to think about it.”
“I will.” Jane wished she could think about anything else.
“Good, and I know what you need right now.”
“A bottle of whiskey and witness protection?” Jane rubbed her forehead, trying to stave off the inevitable tension headache.
“Look at you—makin’ jokes! Sure, its gallows humor, but I’m still impressed. I think Beauregard’s good for you. What you need is someone cute and loveable.”
“He is neither of those things.”
“No, what you need is some time with her.” Georgia lifted Brady into her arms.
“Hi, Aunt Jane!”
Instantly, Jane melted. “Hi there.”
Georgia was absolutely right. The sight of Brady with her chubby cheeks and a sweet smile was exactly what she needed—already, she felt better.
“I’ve missed you.”
“When are you coming home, Aunt Jane?”
“Soon.” Jane sighed. More than anything, she wanted a hug from Brady. And then one from Georgia.
Then a long one from Byron too.
Somehow the memory of his hug was never far from her mind.
Stop it. A smart woman doesn’t cozy up with the Dixie Mafia.
Georgia kissed Brady’s cheek. “Since this all went down, I can’t stand to have her out of my sight.”