Chapter 23
twenty-three
I nterior lights glowed from the front window of Bayou Beignet, a welcome haven in Rosalyn’s tumultuous night.
She parked in front of the shop, her stomach knotted as she fumbled for her keys and bag. Her phone had charged on the short drive there—enough to show Cade hadn’t tried calling or texting since he’d seen her with Blaine. Maybe he wouldn’t be there, but she wasn’t sure where else to try, and he hadn’t even read the text she’d pounded out at the last stop sign.
She’d figured he would know that kiss was not her doing. After everything they’d shared the past few weeks, surely he’d know.
But her quiet phone suggested otherwise.
She slid out of the car, hesitating before walking toward the fleur-de-lis painted front door. The moon shone in full force, bright enough to light the street. Shadows lurked under shop awnings and she once again was overcome with the urge to look over her shoulder. Hopefully Blaine had taken her suggestion, gone to his hotel, and would give her space until tomorrow.
After his surprising—and unwelcome—kiss, she’d excused herself from Amber and Gabby. “I can’t believe you did that.” She led Blaine to a spot away from the crowd.
“Come on, you’re still my wife a bit longer.” Blaine grinned, not realizing what he’d done. And probably wouldn’t care if he did. “Just having fun.”
“We’re not married. Or at least we won’t be for long, no thanks to you.” She told him of the clause and the filed paperwork, watched the storm gather in his eyes. But she didn’t care—she felt a bit like a tornado herself. “Go back to your hotel. I’ve got to sort a few things out.”
“But we need to talk about your loan payments?—”
“Tomorrow, Blaine. You’ve done enough tonight.” Then she’d stalked away, her heart threatening to burst from her chest, half in disbelief she’d actually had the nerve to do that.
But Blaine hadn’t protested or tried to come after her. Also somewhat unbelievable. Maybe, like a quintessential bully, he’d just needed someone to stand up to him. Maybe she should’ve tried a long time ago.
Add that to her growing list of bad judgment calls.
Through the window of the shop door, the whole gang was gathered around two black iron tables—Linc, Zoey, Noah, and Elisa. No Cade.
Her hope that Cade wasn’t avoiding her plummeted, and she pulled open the door, trying to find a smile.
“There’s our star!” Zoey gestured Rosalyn inside. Strings of fairy lights glowed above the counter and the display case, empty of beignets tonight. The sage-colored walls were as welcoming as Zoey’s smile. “Come sit. We’ve got festival leftovers I’ll have to throw away if they don’t get eaten.”
“Pretty sure Linc won’t let that happen.” Sitting with one arm draped around Elisa’s shoulders, Noah saluted Linc with his coffee cup and a grin.
Across the table, Linc scowled as he brushed powdered sugar off his black T-shirt. “I burn more calories in a day than you do in a week.”
“But who’s counting?” Zoey popped a bite of pastry in her mouth as she reclaimed the chair next to Linc. “I’m sure not.”
“Sit by me, Rosalyn.” Elisa pulled out one of the chairs near her, close to the platter of beignets. “Cade should be here soon. There was an emergency after the festival.”
“There was? Oh that’s great .” Rosalyn’s hopes shot high again, like the bell on the strongman game outside the tent, and she scooted her chair up to the table.
Just in time to look up and find everyone staring at her, heads cocked.
“I mean, not great about the emergency.” More like great that Cade wasn’t ignoring her. She reached for a beignet. If she’d ever deserved one…“I mean, what happened?”
“Apparently the frog legs vendor gave a bunch of people food poisoning.” Zoey winced. “Last I saw, Cade was asking Bruno to pack up and go home. But Bruno was upset about his contract being broken—I heard the word lawsuit thrown around.”
Oh no. Cade would be taking that one personally. Rosalyn winced. “Hopefully they’ll get it sorted.”
The bell on the door chimed, and they turned as Cade strode inside. “Hey.” His normally gelled hair was mussed, his eyes tired. He nodded at the guys, then took a chair across from Elisa and diagonally from Rosalyn.
Oh .
She waited, but he didn’t look at her.
“How’d it go?” Noah asked. “Was the frog guy reasonable?”
Cade rubbed a hand over his jaw. “I’ve got to talk to August Bowman tomorrow, so, let’s leave it at that.”
Uh-oh. The town’s oldest, and best, lawyer. That couldn’t be a good sign. Neither was the stiffness in Cade’s back as he reached for a beignet, still avoiding Rosalyn’s eyes.
She swallowed.
“Oh, Rosalyn—I never got to tell you that you did amazing tonight.” Elisa flashed a bright smile. “Don’t you think so, Cade?”
Rosalyn wasn’t positive, but she was fairly sure Elisa kicked him under the table.
“Absolutely.” Cade finally looked up, met her gaze, broad smile in place. “Great job. Now do it two more times for me, and that’s a wrap.”
Um, what?
She shot Elisa a quick look, who shrugged. Zoey frowned, while Noah’s brows lifted. Okay, so not just her. This felt like a Twilight Zone version of Cade. No, it felt like high school Cade, the one who used to push past Rosalyn in the hallways, ignore her unless he was trying to beat her. The one who laughed with the jocks about the nerds. Got by on charm and reputation.
The one who gave a little bit of merit to Amber’s jadedness.
Rosalyn picked at the beignet she no longer wanted. “What do you mean, that’s a wrap ?”
Cade rocked his chair back on two legs, hooked his hands behind his neck. “I’ll cut your check Friday night and then you’ll be free and clear.” He cleared his throat. “You know, for your real shows.”
Oh no. He’d heard her conversation with Blaine. She closed her eyes.
A muffled slap sounded, as if someone might have popped Cade on the shoulder—probably Zoey—followed by furtive whispers. Probably Noah and Elisa.
This was bad.
Rosalyn opened her eyes and folded her arms across her middle, holding herself together. “You know I didn’t mean that.”
“Mean what?” Noah asked.
“Heard you say it.” Cade shrugged. “Saw you kiss him too. That’s twice now, so it’s okay. I get the hint, trust me.”
“Kiss who ?” Noah persisted.
Rosalyn’s heart sank and she brushed back a piece of hair that had slipped free of its glittery prison. “There is no hint , Cade. I said what I had to, to get rid of him.”
He scoffed. “Convenient.”
Linc’s mouth hung open. “Bro.”
“What?” Cade rocked the chair back again. “There’s a reason you won’t stand up to him, Rosalyn. A reason you keep him in your life.”
“You don’t get it.” Rosalyn’s voice shook despite her efforts. Her chest burned beneath her hoodie. “You’re not the one whose life or family could be in danger if you upset the guy holding all the cards. Besides, tonight I?—”
“Is there even any danger, Rosalyn?” Cade squinted at her. His cocky expression made her want to slap him—and maybe cry. “You’re so quick to believe all of this guy’s lies. There’s a reason for that too.” He shook his head. “Probably because you don’t actually want to get divorced.”
“ Divorced ?” Elisa and Zoey echoed this time.
Noah scooted his chair back with a screech against the tile. “Look, maybe we should let these two talk in priv?—”
“There’s only been one lie.” Substantial though it was. “Blaine tried to help me, granted, with a bad idea, and yeah, he lied about where the money came from, but he’s not a complete monster.” Because that would make her a complete idiot. And she’d shut Blaine down tonight, hadn’t she? She was handling this on her own. “Regardless, that doesn’t mean I want to date him.”
Cade’s eyes flickered in challenge. “No, just marry him.”
Ouch . Her nails dug into her palm. “Well, I’m sorry I can’t make a call and have my dad fix everything for me. Some people try to handle their own messes.”
The shop fell silent, the tension pulsing in Rosalyn’s ears. She sucked in a tight breath. “Cade, listen…”
“No, I think it’s time you listen to yourself, Rosalyn. Because I hear you loud and clear.” Cade’s chair landed hard on the floor and he stood. “I’ve lost my appetite, Zoey. Thanks anyway.”
Rosalyn’s heart twisted. He had it all wrong. But the fact he could even believe all this about her told her what she needed to know.
She still wasn’t good enough for Cade Landry.
Her stomach knotted as he walked toward the door, away from her. Away from them.
“By the way.” He paused, turned, one hand on the knob. “I checked your accounts. Pretty sure that not-a-monster husband of yours has been stealing all your money.”
The glass rattled as the door slammed behind him.
* * *
“You’re telling me Cade was right?” Rosalyn stared at her parents across the table at Chug a Mug the next morning, the scent of Dad’s black coffee mingling with the lemon scone on Mom’s plate.
Rosalyn had tossed and turned all night after Cade’s cryptic comment. Was he saying that to get back at her for her own hurtful comment? Or was he serious? How could she even find out? Financials were beyond her—she’d never had to deal with money. There’d always been plenty of it—until recently, anyway—and someone else managing it for her.
She’d finally landed on the only option she had left.
Ask for help.
Dad adjusted his glasses, turned the laptop to show her. They’d secured a booth in the corner of the coffee shop for privacy, and she’d never been so glad to have her back to a wall. Or so surprised at her parents’ eagerness to help when she’d approached them at home an hour ago, still in their robes, and asked if they could talk.
“Yep. This guy’s been moving your money around. Taking liberties you didn’t know about.” Dad pointed to the screen. “Looks like there’s been some investments made too. That’s where a lot of your money has been tied up.”
Her stomach rolled. “That’s horrible.” Mom’s manicured nails drummed a rhythm next to her plate, a concerned frown marring her otherwise youthful face. “Are you certain?”
“Very.” Dad tapped a few more keys, pulled up a different account. “The good news is you’re not nearly as broke as you assumed.” He shrugged as he peered over the top of his glasses. “Looks like a lot of it has been moved to a different account, but still in your name.”
“I don’t have the log-in info for anything else.” Rosalyn groaned. “I’ll have to get that from him, somehow.” That would be interesting. Then she hesitated, almost afraid to ask. “Do I have enough to repay my loan?”
Dad tilted his head, squinted. His mustache had gone full gray over the last few years, giving him an even more distinguished look. “How much do you owe?”
She told him and his gaze darted about the screen, mouth moving silently as he did the math in his head.
This was too much. Rosalyn pressed her fingertips against her flushed cheeks. She wasn’t broke…which was good news. And Cade was right…which was bad news. Blaine had lied about way more than the loan.
And she’d all but defended him.
No wonder Cade had been so upset last night. He’d seen them kiss—twice—and knew all this about her finances, while she sat there annoyed and said right to his face that Blaine wasn’t a monster.
She’d be suspicious at that point too.
Dad finished counting and picked up his coffee cup. “Looks like it’ll be close. Maybe some of those investments will come back lucrative.” He leveled her with his gaze. “But if it’s important, I can make up the difference. Consider it an interest-free loan until you’re set up again.”
Interest was not the problem. “I couldn’t let you do that.” Although, granted, neither could she remain in debt to the Mafia. A detail her parents still didn’t know. Nor did they know about the marriage complication.
“We don’t mind.” Mom took a bite of her scone, wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Though I’m sure the bank would be accommodating, especially if you’re making a lump payment against the rest.”
In a traditional situation, sure. But she couldn’t give the rest of those details. Mom was handling all of this well, but it was only scratching the surface of the whole situation.
She’d already taken a career path her mother didn’t like and had to listen to her say she was disappointed that day with her cousins.
The whole truth today would feel like three strikes.
“What do I do?” Rosalyn pointed to the laptop. “How do I stop Blaine from taking more money? Do I call the police?”
“Cade put a block on the account, restricting Blaine’s access. I think for now, you should focus on the circus—you’ve got two shows left. We’ll handle the legal side after that.” Dad pulled the laptop toward him, signing out of her accounts one by one. “Who knows? Maybe your manager will come forward, do the right thing.”
And maybe those dancing poodles would learn to fly. “Honey.” Her father tapped her arm. “The bigger question is, why didn’t you come to me with this sooner? I’m an accountant .”
She shrugged. “I thought it was pretty clear-cut. I was in debt from leaving the world tour early.” And hadn’t realized Blaine had lied about more than simply who she was in debt to.
Her parents watched her. She had to give them more. “And I was embarrassed.” That was the truth.
Dad shook his head. “No reason to feel that way. You trusted your manager—that’s not unreasonable.”
But she should have had the red flags sooner. Cade saw them immediately. Rosalyn swallowed. “I guess not.”
“We’re proud of you.” Mom patted her arm next. “You’re handling this bump with a lot of grace, and look—it’s not even as bad you thought!” Her face was all sunshine and roses.
While Rosalyn sat there with her secret stash of rainclouds and thorns.
She forced a smile. “Right.” Maybe she had more money than she thought, but she didn’t have a way to pay her loan off without Blaine—and no way to tell him to do so without admitting she knew what he’d been doing in her financials.
That wasn’t a conversation she was looking forward to having, but it had to be done or she’d never be free. Maybe she should bring someone with her—not Cade. Obviously.
Should she tell her parents the rest?
Rosalyn rolled in her lip, debating. If she did, this was the moment. It wouldn’t take much…just one more surrender. One more white flag thrown on the table.
She drew a breath and?—
Dad shut the laptop with a snap. “I have to say, it’s pretty impressive Cade figured all this out so quickly.”
She closed her mouth. Cade had actually figured out a lot more than that, and she hadn’t listened. Her throat knotted.
“He’s always been a smart cookie.” Mom nodded her approval, eyes shining. “And now he’s running for mayor.”
They continued chatting about the campaign angles Cade might take as they finished their coffee.
Rosalyn’s window had shut.
She released a sigh, struggling to participate in the political conversation. It was for the better. She needed to focus on her show that evening and didn’t want to see the look on her parents’ faces once they heard the whole story.
The same disappointment Cade had when he looked at her last night.