Epilogue
JOSIE
Two days later Lucien took me shopping. When I asked him what for he said, "A secret."
Most secrets I'd come to hate but with him I was excited.
We headed to Magazine Street and I couldn't think which shop he was taking me to around here. Then he took my hand and led me to a lingerie boutique.
He opened the door and said, "There's no budget."
He sat outside the fitting room scrolling through his phone, giving me all the time in the world. He wasn't picking things out for me. Wasn't telling me what I should get. He was just there.
I came out in something simple. A plain black bra that fit the body I actually had.
"Beautiful," he said.
"You're not even looking at it." His eyes were on my face. Just like they had been the first night he'd hexed me with that look on Bourbon Street.
"I'm looking at you, babe. Everything else is just wrapping. If you love it, I love it."
I nearly said that word back to him as tears filled my eyes.
It would take another two weeks before I did. One second after he said it first.