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“Actually,” Ciaran said, “we’re hoping to enlist Zoey’s help in destroying the evidence.”
“If that succeeds, then that’s the best news I’ve heard in a while, Ciaran,” Franky said approvingly, which made Ciaran beam at her. When Franky spotted the closet, she whistled. She wiped her hands on her flour-coated apron. “Not going ask what happened in there. But, if it helps tonight’s objective, as you pluck through piles of clothing, Davies said that Zoey’s dress is green.” With that, Franky twirled away, but muttered over her shoulder, “I did gift you a green tie last Christmas.”
A smile played on Ciaran’s face. “Sounds like you got one piece of your wardrobe figured out,” he said. “Good luck tonight. I’ll be thinking about you.”
He shifted to the door. I had hoped for some kissing, but with Zoey’s imminent arrival, it wasn’t a good idea. Besides, Ciaran’s near nakedness was a dangerous factor for me. I liked that he wasn’t acting shy. Even when Franky was in the room, he didn’t shrink away or try to hide his bare chest from view.
Since he’d arrived Vaulteneau, Ciaran seemed to have grown more confident in his own skin.
“I’ll see you after?” I asked, because I didn’t want to be far from him. I knew I’d want to confide everything that transpired between me and Zoey tonight. And, frankly, just having him near me was comforting.
“When you’re done with dinner, you know where to find me and Detective Inspector First Class Earl Shiremarch,” Ciaran said with a wink before entering the bathroom.
When I stepped downstairs a few moments later, Franky rewarded me with an appreciative gleam. I performed a spur-of-the-moment catwalk in my black suit and her green tie.
“Delicioso.” Franky kissed the tips of her fingers dramatically. “I could dip you in hummus and feast all night.”
“You have strange proclivities, Franky.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Hummus goes with everything, darling. I’ve heard it has magical qualities that can assist in undoing the entanglements of blackmail.”
“I’ll keep that in mind tonight.” Strangely, I was nervous about talking to Zoey about the video. It might have been my first brush with uncertainty where she was concerned. “Wish me luck, Franky.”
She cocked an eyebrow to study me. “Do you need luck when you’re one of the golden sons of Vaulteneau and the Prince of Malibu?”
Ouch. It was almost like a knife to the heart. At least Franky didn’t pretend to bow.
Upon reflection, though, Franky wasn’t wrong. I’d always been lucky. Even when things weren’t going my way, I always came out on top. I had friends, wealth, stability, and through some source of magic, Ciaran was in my life.
But Coach Anderson’s blackmail could undo all my happiness.
And for the first time since it all began, I realized there was a lot at stake.
“Luck can’t buy me a spot on the US Swim Team, Franky,” I said in a harsher tone than intended.
“Luck? No.” Nonplussed, Franky studied me for a long second, her head tilted. “But I have a feeling you’re meant to learn a few more lessons along the way, Matthias Vaulteneau.”
That’s what I was afraid of.
43
CIARAN
After showering and donning some of my new attire from today’s shopping excursion, my mind felt like it was full of shooting stars. I couldn’t focus on one thing. One second I’d think about Matty’s lips on mine, then I’d quickly remember I needed to call my friends.
Detective Inspector Earl Shiremarch was kicking at my shins, telling me to write Chapter One. My laptop was right there, on my desk, cracked open in invitation. But then I’d think about Matty’s face when he realized there were dark clouds in my past.
Shame was ever-present.
That never went away.
When I felt the first sliver of happiness, shame had a way of creeping back in, as if to remind me that I didn’t deserve good things.
I went to stand on the balcony to hear the raw crashing of ocean waves. I could hear Franky tinkering in the kitchen below. The sweet, chocolatey scent of cookies mingled with the early evening air perfume. Too bad I wasn’t hungry.
My phone dinged and I saw I had several texts from my friends, but there were also a few from Mom that I’d missed from earlier.
I opened hers first.
