Page 84
New Orleans, LA
Monday July 7th
Bryce woke the next morning with a dry mouth and a stiff neck. The dry mouth was a result of too much wine and the stiff neck was from a night spent on the narrow couch.
It was the sort of morning that begged her to squeeze her eyes shut and fall back asleep. Maybe when she woke the next time the pounding behind her eyes would be gone.
Instead, she struggled to her feet and stumbled into the shower, turning on the cold water until she was shivering and wide awake. Then, brewing a pot of coffee, she pulled on fresh clothes and made a quick phone call.
Once she was sure she had everything in place, she poured a mug of coffee and entered Livia’s bedroom.
“Hey, sleepyhead, wake up,” she said loud enough to jerk the snoring woman out of her deep sleep.
With a groan, Livia rolled over, shoving her tangled hair out of her face.
“You’re up early,” she groaned. “And annoyingly chipper considering we didn’t go to bed until after two.”
“Get dressed,” Bryce commanded. “We have an appointment.”
“What?” Livia struggled to sit up. “An appointment with who?”
Bryce leaned forward to hand her friend the fresh mug of coffee. “We’ll talk on the way. Chop-chop.”
Livia blinked. “‘Chop-chop’?”
“Get a move on it,” Bryce clarified.
Livia pouted, then, realizing that Bryce wasn’t going to go away until she had agreed to get out of bed, she heaved a deep sigh.
“Fine.” She sipped the coffee as she tossed aside the covers. “I’m moving.”
Convinced that her friend was awake, Bryce went back to the living room to tidy up the mess they’d left behind. Then, gathering up what she’d brought with her, she headed out to her SUV.
While she waited for Livia she called Josie to say hi, not surprised by her daughter’s joyous laughter as she relayed the various adventures that she’d been enjoying with her cousins. Although Bryce missed her little girl with a fierce urgency, she was deeply grateful to Benjamin’s parents for ensuring that Josie remained an important member of their family. They kept his memory alive in her bruised heart in a way she couldn’t.
Once she disconnected, she sent Finn a text, telling him she would be into the office later than usual. He sent back a quick reply assuring her that he had everything covered and to enjoy her day. A wry smile curved her lips, her thumb touching the words on the screen. Finn Maxwell was making it tough to convince herself she wasn’t ready to be romantically involved.
Her dangerous thoughts were thankfully shattered as the front door opened and Livia appeared, wearing a pair of white shorts and a stretchy yellow top, with her damp hair pulled into a high ponytail. Even at a distance, her face was pale with shadows from their late night under her eyes; still, she looked beautiful.
If Bryce was a vain woman she might hate Livia Benoit. Pretty, smart, and related to the most powerful family in Louisiana—everything a woman could want.
Thankfully, Bryce wasn’t vain, and she’d never once wished she could change places with her friend.
“Ready?” she asked as Livia climbed into the SUV.
“I’m not sure. Ready for what?” Livia demanded as she pulled on her seatbelt.
“When I woke up this morning I had a weird feeling of déjà vu,” Bryce said, backing out of the driveway.
“Because you were sleeping on the couch?”
“Because I was sleeping on the couch in New Orleans.” Bryce gunned the engine and headed south.
“Why would that give you déjà vu?”
“Not long after I graduated from the FBI academy, I came to New Orleans for a six-week training program. I had a stipend to pay for my lodgings, but a friend let me crash at her apartment so I could pocket the money. I was newly married and we needed the cash.”
Livia watched the passing homes as they continued to weave their way through the quiet neighborhood.
