Page 147 of Unlock My Heart

I look up to him, to those baby blues that gutted me once upon a time.

“Let’s go home,” he says quietly, even though I’m sure that’s not what he really wanted to say.

“You don’t have a home; I kicked you out, remember?” My voice is small.

A smile stretches his lips. “That’s my girl.”

Is that who I am?

Chapter Forty-Four

Sienna

The present

Circling the bust, I pin my starting-to-take-shape gown in place. I haven’t seen Fabien this morning; he was gone before I got up, which, admittedly, was after eleven in the morning.

Kirksey should be making the final money drop by the end of the day, and then he’ll expect the goods on my husband.

That little voice inside me is starting to get louder in protest of this plan. But if I’m not the victim, and I’m not the villain, then who does that make me?

You could be happy, that little voice offers a third option.

“It’s never worked out before,” I mutter.

Lacey whines, and I tell her, “Relax. You’re not going to have to model anything.”

Several hours pass with me lost in my work, and I find a good stopping point for the day. Having slept for so long after yesterday’s exhausting events, I need to expend a little energy, and I decide to hit the pool.

After changing into my bikini, I venture out into the courtyard with Lacey shadowing me. We walk to the edge of the property, where the pool’s tucked between pristine landscaping and a huge privacy fence. I lay out my towel on a lounger and dip my toe into the pool. Despite the heater running, it’s a bit chilly by NOLA’s standards.

There’s a splash, and I’m soaking wet. “Bad girl!” I shriek.

Lacey pops her head up, doggie-paddling her way to the zero-entry point and trotting out, giving her body a shake.

“Guess I can’t back out, now that I’m already soaked.” Arms extended overhead, I dive into the deep end and freestyle the length of the pool. Despite being shoved in the last time I went for a “swim,” I’ve always enjoyed being in the water.

A lightbulb goes off, and I swim to the ladder and climb out with a little shiver, drying off before I text Jermaine.

He appears momentarily, still eyeing Lacey wearily as he delivers the stationery I requested, as well as an espresso. And seeing that I’m still doing the little shiver dance, he lugs over a propane outdoor heater, turning it on.

“Thanks, Jermaine.”

“I’ll be inside if you need me.” He eagerly slips away from Lacey, and I get to work on a list of my own.

Things this current version of Sienna likes:

1. My old black boots

2. Lacemaking

3. Swimming

4. Espresso

Taking a sip of the coffee that I didn’t ask Jermaine to bring me, I decide my husband is going to give my assistant a raise. Fabien hasn’t once complained about having to foot the bill, or any bill, now that I think about it. Like, ever.

5. Fabien’s generosity