Butterfly Bayou (Butterfly Bayou 1)

“I think what the two of you need is a bottle of wine and some of the best tater tots you’ll ever have. At least that’s what my cook claims.” Remy gave her a half smile. “You want it up here or you want to go out on the patio? It’s nearly empty and the water is pretty this time of day. I think Otis is hanging out.”

Wine and gators. “Sure. The patio sounds lovely. Give me a minute and I’ll come down. Thank you for letting me stay here. I could stay at the clinic, but this is nicer.”

“That’s not saying much, ma soeur,” Remy replied. “But you’re always welcome. And I hope you’ll seriously consider staying in town even though the sheriff is an ass. Sometimes men are dumb creatures and we need time to sort things out.”

Remy walked out and Zep followed, giving her a salute with his bandaged hand.

The door closed and she was left alone again with her sister and her dog.

Lisa was quiet for a moment. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

She nodded. “I know.”

But inside, the pain . . . god, the pain. He was gone. He probably hated her. He thought she’d intended to hurt his daughter. That was the worst part. He wasn’t out there worrying about her. He was out there hating her, and she missed him. She already missed him.

Lisa walked up and put her arms around Lila. “Don’t make old mistakes. Let it out. Let me be here for you. Don’t hold this in and pretend like it’s okay. Let me call Laurel and put her on video chat, and let us take care of you for once. You loved him. It’s not wrong to admit it. Please don’t hold this in. If you honestly are this calm, that’s fine. It’s good. But if you need to cry, don’t hide it. No one is going to come and take us away. Do you think I don’t know how hard it was for you and Will? I know. Let me be strong for you for once. Please let me pay this back. And yes, I’m making this all about me because I am afraid you won’t ever let anything just be about you.”

Her sister’s kindness worked where Armie’s coldness hadn’t. It was true. She held things in, a remnant of childhood, but one she didn’t need anymore. She was never going to be the woman who cried at everything, but some things were worth tears.

Her love was worth a few.

“I loved him. I never . . .” The words wouldn’t come.

Lisa held her tight. “You never met anyone like him. I know. It’s okay.”

Lila let go, let her sister comfort her. The tears she’d held in all day finally flowed.

He was gone and so was a large piece of her heart.* * *• • •

Armie felt like he was a zombie. He was moving, saying all the things he should say, but he couldn’t quite feel anything. He’d gotten Noelle in the car, driven home, stayed calm, but he felt like he was still stuck in that moment when he’d realized he was going to have to leave Lila.

He already missed her.

He had to focus on his daughter. She was the one who needed him.

“Do you want something to eat? I can call in pizza.” He knew he should make something healthy, but if he opened the refrigerator, he would see what Lila had planned to cook for them. It would be sitting there, prepped and ready to go because his girlfriend was incredibly organized.

Not his girlfriend, and that was the stupidest word. She wasn’t a girl, and she was so much more than a friend. His lover. His companion. His every waking thought and comfort.

How had it gone so fucking wrong? He’d thought Noelle was safe with Lila. It had been the biggest relief that someone had been there to support him, to partner with him. He could work the night shift without worrying every second. He could trust her when Noelle needed a ride somewhere.

Do you want the rest of the world to wait on you hand and foot? That sounds awfully easy.

Nothing about the last year had been easy on either of them. Noelle needed someone who would support her, not yell at her.

Like your dad yelled at you when you spent too much time chasing girls in high school and none on your homework? He’d been hard as hell on you and you thanked that old man for making you go to college. You would be working at a fast food place if it hadn’t been for him kicking your ass.

His father. He’d been the tough-love king. But Noelle didn’t need that. She didn’t.

“I’m not hungry.” She sat at the table as quiet as she’d been during the car ride home. She’d cried, but silently, and it made him all the angrier.