Page 27 of Just for Tonight

“That old fox,” Luke whispers, then raises his gaze to mine. “It’s all a house of cards.”

I nod agreement.

Candace’s voice echoes from the foyer. She’s calling the housekeeper, asking when luncheon will be served. Luncheon. Luke and I look at each other and I shrug.

“Is she worth it?” he asks quietly, giving voice to my own question.

I point to the last pile on the table. “Those files are from plastic surgeons. Not just invoices, but before and after pictures. I will never unsee them, and I recommend you don’t look.”

Luke chuckles. “That stuff costs big.”

“Especially when only the best will do. She’s been all over the world for her procedures.”

“Then there must be frequent flier miles.”

Now I chuckle. “Haven’t found them yet either.”

Luke surveys my temporary domain. “Do you want some help? I mean, I’m not some finance guru but I managed the funds for the band.”

“You did?”

He looks suddenly grim. “I learned how after we got ripped off on our first tour. We were famous and successful and dead broke.”

“Not anymore I’ll guess.”

“Not anymore.”

I can totally relate to the satisfaction in his tone.

“That ‘manager’ moved a lot of it offshore.” He gives the title air quotes. “I never got that part back, but he didn’t get any more.”

“Offshore. Interesting possibility.” I consider the piles of paper for a long moment. “I appreciate your offer. I really do. But one of the ways I understand a problem is by considering all of it.”

“You need to go over all of it yourself to find the pattern,” he says, to my surprise.

“Yes.”

“I get that. But if you want help or you just want to talk about it, let me know.”

“Offshore is a possibility I hadn’t considered.” I thank him and get his details. “You don’t have to do this alone for Abbie, Luke.”

“No, I don’t,” he admits with a rueful smile. “But my coming back to Empire is about getting it right. About making changes and doing better.” He eyes me. “You and I can do better.”

“We can and I’d like that.” I offer my hand and we shake on it.

“Abs is here, you know,” he says and I’m startled.

“Here?”

“Well, in Empire. She came for the concert. She’s staying with Cameron now.”

I have no idea who Cameron is and I’m sure it shows.

Luke smiles. “Cameron is the nurse who bought the house next door to Daph. She’s part of their group, who get together every Wednesday.” He counts them off on his fingers. “Daph, Cameron, Mackenzie, Willow and Abs is a long-distance member. They used to take turns hosting, but they’re meeting at The Carpe Diem Café now, so Merrie and Sylvia can join them.”

The only detail I get out of that is that Mackenzie is busy Wednesday nights.

That’s why she was at the café when I grabbed dinner there.