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Ava

AVA

We go downtown to give our statements. Unfortunately, before we can get away, there’s a fucking press conference. And they give Tal an award for bravery. They give me one too. Eh. That’s dumb. It was him.

When that’s finished, I go to the motel and pack up my shit. I’m done here. Once it’s all in my Bronco, we climb in and I drive back to the access for the cabin. Parked in the spot from before, I shut off the engine, then sit there in silence. What do I say?

Luckily for me, he speaks first. “So, this was great. And I’m gonna miss you.”

“Yeah. I’m gonna miss you too.”

“When I said you’re the first woman I’ve been with since I lost them, I didn’t mean just the first woman. You’re also the right woman, or it never would’ve happened.” Quiet again. Finally, he takes my hand, squeezes it, and asks, “Is there any way you’d stay here in Haywood County?”

“I’d have to have electricity and running water, and I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

“Why wouldn’t it?”

“You like things the way they are.”

“It’s not that. I just didn’t bother for myself, but I would for you,” he says with a shrug.

I shake my head. “I can’t ask you to do that. It’s expensive, and you don’t have that kind of money.” He starts to laugh, and I can’t figure out what’s so funny. “I’m sorry. Did I tell a joke?”

“Babe, I’ve got over three million dollars.”

I’m pretty sure I misunderstood. “I could’ve sworn you said three million dollars.”

“Yeah. Insurance money, and money from the lawsuit against the builder of the towers. If you want electricity and running water, I think I can manage that. I’ll just build a house. How’s that?” He’s still laughing like crazy.

But I think I’m in shock. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope! I can show you the bank statement. We can build a nice house and buy two nice cars.”

“Why the fuck don’t you have a car?” I scream at him.

“Why? I’d never use it! I mean, I haven’t before. But I will with you here.” He’s still laughing, but he takes both of my hands and turns toward me. “I don’t want you to leave. I can’t say that I love you, but I want to, and I want to get to know you better. So stay? With me?”

“Electricity and water?” He nods. “And a car?”

“Two cars.”

“Will you keep fucking me like before?”

“Anytime you want,” he says, his face as serious as can be.

“And we’ll be a crimefighting duo?”

There’s the laughing again. “Sure! Rand and Morrow!”

“No. Morrow and Rand,” I counter.

“No, Rand and Morrow.”

“How ’bout we flip for it?” I offer.

“No. How ’bout I fuck you until you agree with me?”

It’s my turn to laugh. “That’s a lot of fucking!”

He winks. “That’s the whole point!”

Morrow and Rand. I like the way it sounds. I could be persuaded to accept Rand and Morrow, I suppose. If he wants me to agree, I guess he’d better get started. There’s only so much time in the day and we’re burning daylight. “Race you to the bed,” I call out. I’m not too worried about this race.

I’m pretty sure he’s gonna let me win.

An hour later, I roll to look at him. His face is smooth, his breathing quiet, and I’m just lying there, watching him sleep, when I remember something. He said he was an investment banker in the city.

There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s fucking lying about that.

My bladder’s full, and I tiptoe to the bathroom, but when I reach for the bath tissue, the roll is empty. There’s none in the rack in front of me, so I open the door under the sink and pull a new package out. It takes a second to rip it open and take out a roll, but when I bend to put it back, I notice something.

There’s a zippered bag behind it. Hoping he can’t hear me, I pull it out and slowly, slowly unzip it. There’s stuff in it, a lot of stuff, but there are three items that make me stop and stare.

I was right. TalmadgeRand, you’re no investment banker. And I intend to find out just exactly who you are.

Ava and Talmadge are on their way to a happily ever after, but what comes next? Could this be the beginning of a new series? Only time will tell!

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