them sore but partially healed.
When Sue would protest them taking her pain as their own, Vivien said, “It’s what friends do. You’d do the same for us.”
A tear slipped over Sue’s tired cheek. She nodded. “So everything is good?”
“Your magic repaired the theater better than it was before,” Heather said. “All the spotlights work now so that’s something.”
Sue smiled and nodded. “I’m glad.”
“I left you some candy. Eat it. You’ll feel better.” Vivien stiffly turned. “I’m going home where Troy can take care of me.”
Heather smiled at Sue and said, “You’re free. There is nothing more to fear.”
“Thank you,” Sue mouthed, touched by their selfless generosity.
Heather limped as she followed Vivien. “Wait up, Viv.”
“They’re my ride,” Lorna stated. “Are you going to be all right if we leave?”
“I’ll stay with her,” Jameson said before Sue could answer. “I won’t leave her side.”
“Call me if either of you needs me,” Lorna ordered.
Sue and Jameson both nodded. Lorna ambled after Vivien and Heather, who could be heard slowly stepping down the stairs.
Jameson crawled over her and fell next to her on the bed. The mattress bounced, and they both groaned. He shifted his body and pulled a box of theater candy out from under him.
“Eat this,” he said, not lifting his head as he pushed it toward her.
“Maybe later.” Sue slipped her hand on top of his to hold it.
They laid in silence for a long time. Suddenly, Jameson gave a pained laugh.
“What?” Sue turned her head toward him.
He laid on his back, looking over at her. “This is the strangest first date I’ve ever been on. The bar had been set pretty high. I was just wondering how was going to top it on our next date.”
“Apocalypse?” Sue suggested.
“Zombie horde?” he countered.
“Take down an international spy syndicate?”
“Alien invasion?”
“Striptease for grandma ghost?”
He smirked and shook his head in denial. “How about free coffee and a discount on the bookstore lease in exchange for your help cleaning the coffee shop?”
“Lease agreements are hot. So hot,” Sue joked. She chuckled and instantly regretted it as the motion jarred her ribs. “It’s a date.”
Jameson slid his hand out from under hers and placed it on top. He lifted his head and moaned.
“What?” she asked.
“The light switch is really far away,” he answered.
Sue closed her eyes, letting the exhaustion take her. “Leave it.”
“Okay,” he mumbled. His hand lightly patted hers. “Know in my mind I’m kissing you goodnight.”
“And I’m kissing you back.” Sue felt happiness flooding her. This was the life she wanted. Even with the pain, she wouldn’t trade this moment for anything.
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
St. Louis, Missouri
Sue stood on the lawn and stared at the home she had shared with Hank. She couldn’t help the sick feeling that filled her when she tried to go inside. In many ways, it was like excavating a puss-filled wound. Doing it sucked, but afterward, it felt great.
“Eww,” Vivien appeared next to her. “I just had the weirdest visual, like I was about to pop a giant zit.”
Sue suppressed a laugh. “Yeah, that is weird.”
A car pulled up in front of the house.
“This must be the realtor. Let me get a read off her before you say yes to the contract. I’ll walk with her around the property to give you a moment to collect yourself inside and do a quick…” Vivien made a whirling noise and swirled her hands around to indicate Sue’s cleaning abilities.
Sue nodded. “Make sure she knows I’m motivated to sell. I want this book closed and tossed in the trash heap. I also don’t want to come back for the closing.”
“Gotcha.” Vivien went to greet the woman.
“You don’t have to go in if you don’t want.” Jameson came from the car carrying the purse she’d forgotten in the back seat. “Tell me what you want me to get. I’ll take care of it.”
Vivien and Jameson had insisted on coming with her, and she had never been more appreciative to have company. They’d made a road trip out of it, and their support had made the idea of coming back here bearable. Heather and Lorna had wanted to make the trip as well, but someone had to watch the theater, and Martin needed Heather’s help with January.
“I’ll be all right.” Sue slipped her arm around his waist. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“There is no way I’d let you face this alone.” Jameson held her hand as they went to the front door.
Sue dug in her purse for her house keys to unlock the home. Inside,