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She shook my hand firmly, her attention all on me now and surprisingly pleasant. I guess I expected to see that look—you know, the look that another woman uses to size you up and decide if you’re worthy of her time and effort. But the only look I received was one of friendly curiosity.
“So you’re the one,” she said, taking a seat back at the table and gesturing to Thierry and me to join her.
“The one?” I repeated.
“The one who won Thierry’s heart after all these many years. I’ve heard so much about you, Sarah. It’s wonderful to meet you in person.”
I sat down, and Thierry took the seat beside me.
“I can just imagine what you’ve heard,” I said, more guarded now. “I hope it’s not all bad.”
“Not at all. I heard that you’re smart and savvy and have an uncanny ability to unravel a mystery when one presents itself. And that you follow your heart wherever it leads, whether toward danger or adventure. Also, that you’re an invaluable ally, a loyal friend, and you’d go to the ends of the earth to help someone in need.”
I took all this in with surprise, weighing her words and the true sincerity in her voice. “Wow, who said such nice things about me?”
“Your husband did,” she said simply. “On our phone call yesterday when we arranged this meeting.”
I shot a look at Thierry. “You said that?”
“It’s all true,” he replied.
A grin spread across my face as my heart swelled and did a quick flip-flop. “Debatable.”
He shook his head. “Not debatable. Fact.”
“If I had half the marriage you two have,” Alicia said. “I probably wouldn’t be here in Assjacket.”
I blinked and tore my attention away from Thierry. “Sorry, did you say Assjacket?”
She spread her hands. “That’s what they call it.”
“Assjacket,” I said again, bewildered.
“A name bestowed by a Shifter Whisperer named Zelda,” Alicia explained. “She has a very unique sense of humor, one that is shared by many in this town and surrounding areas. She’s as hilarious as she is beautiful, really.”
“Okay. Well, I don’t know what a Shifter Whisperer is, but, given what little I know about this town, I’m assuming it’s some sort of witch,” I said.
Thierry nodded. “Zelda is a very powerful witch with the ability to heal Shifters with her white magic. She is beloved here. And, yes, she nicknamed this town Assjacket, and now that is what it is officially known as.”
“Fair enough,” I said with a shrug. Frankly, it was well worth the price of admission just to hear Thierry say “Assjacket.”
“Now, back to our reason for being here, Alicia,” Thierry leaned back in his seat to regard her solemnly. “As I said on the phone, Sarah and I are more than happy to personally accompany you back to New York City. Your husband is very concerned about you.”
“Concerned, is he?” She absently slid her finger around the edge of her teacup. “I bet he is, not that he’d ever express this to me personally. He doesn’t seem to understand that I’m free to do whatever I want to do and seek whatever adventure I wish to have. I’ve asked him for a divorce that he’s refused to give me, but I don’t suppose Franklin mentioned that, did he?”
She said all of this matter-of-factly, with no detectable emotion at all.
My conversation with Amy echoed in my ears. Another reminder that true love didn’t always last.
“No, he didn’t mention that,” Thierry said. “And it’s none of my business. All I know for sure is he’s worried about your wellbeing.”
“Is that what he told you?” Alicia replied tightly.
“It is.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Did you tell him where I am?”
“He already knew, and not from me. Alicia, I understand that you are dealing with some marital difficulties, but this location is not an ideal place for you to contemplate your marriage.”
