the world. It made Addie wonder about his sudden change of attitude toward Ryley. She shrugged it off. He was most likely just happy Ryley was staying, which would solidify in his mind that Marc was really out of the picture in Addie’s future.
“This deserves a toast,” Simon said. “Come on, Ryley. Let’s go see what we can find at the refreshment table.”
When they were out of earshot Addie glanced at Marc. “What, she just up and quit the FBI?”
Marc’s face glistened with perspiration. “It wasn’t that cut and dry, but it’s not my story to tell. You should give her a chance, though. I know you have mixed feelings, given with what happened with your arrest and whatnot—”
“Forget the whatnot.” Addie’s eyes flashed. “She actually tried to convince you that I was guilty. Was she jealous of what we used to have?”
“Stop it. No, I told you before. Like every good detective, especially an FBI agent, she was following the evidence, and the evidence at the time pointed to you.”
Addie’s bottom lip quivered.
“Look, Addie, I know I can’t take back what happened, and I can’t make excuses. But I will say she’s had a rough go of it the last few years. I hope you’ll give her a chance. Maybe the two of you can even come to be friends?”
Addie sputtered.
“Eventually?” Marc’s brow arched.
“What was the forced leave she was on?” Marc’s eyes narrowed to slits. “I heard the two of you talking as you went out the door at the Grey Gull Inn.”
“Maybe I should tell you, and then you’ll go easier on her.”
Addie braced her shoulders, her gaze steadfast on his.
“Ryley was working on a big case down by San Diego. It was a combined task force between the DEA, FBI, and Homeland Security. They got wind that there was a mole in the ranks but couldn’t figure out who it was. Ryley did some investigating and must have gotten too close for someone’s comfort because she started to get death threats and had a few near misses on her life. Her field supervisor pulled her off the case for her protection and sent her to Quantico to teach for a few months while they continued to investigate who was behind the leaks to the cartel. But the threats against her didn’t stop. That’s when her supervisor strongly encouraged her to disappear for a while until they could uncover the mole. That’s the forced leave you overheard.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Did they ever find out who was behind it?”
Marc hung his head, nodding. “It was her partner of over ten years.”
“Wow.”
“Yup, after her supervisor told her that, she decided to leave the FBI completely. She developed a trust-issue thing, which I can understand. It’s tough when you find out the person you trusted the most in life to cover you, is the one trying to shoot you in the back.”
“So you snapped her up?” A soft laugh escaped her throat.
“I snapped her up.” He cracked a smile. “As you say. Because she’s one of the best investigators I’ve ever worked with, and she agreed because she decided she liked her short stint at small-town crime fighting.”
“Could the real reason be because you’re also a”—she squeezed her forefinger and thumb together—“teeny-tiny bit in love with her, too?”
The sparkle in his eyes vanished. “I would be . . . if I could get over you.”
So that was it. Despite everything already said between them these past few days, he needed to hear the words. He needed closure. Something she’d never gotten with David’s death, and it still haunted her. “It’s over, Marc. We’ve both moved on.”
“I know.” He glanced at Simon by the refreshment table. “I know.”
Addie studied Marc’s face, and for an instant David was smiling back at her. A sense of liberating release swept through her. In the distance, she heard Simon’s hearty laugh, and a soft smile touched the corners of her lips. It seemed more than one ghost was being laid to rest this week.
“Addie, Marc, good. You’re together,” Serena squealed, bounding toward them. “Look!” She waved her left hand in the air. A sparkling diamond shimmered in the glow of the bonfire.
Addie glanced back at Marc. David was now truly gone. She grinned and snatched Serena’s hand. “What? When did this happen?” She flung her arms around her best friend, who gave a startled laugh and hugged her back. “Congratulations, sweetie.”
“Congrats, sis!” Marc cried, twirling her around in the air. “When’s the big day?”
“Not until next June.” Serena puffed breathlessly as he placed her back on her feet. “After Zach finishes his practicum and goes through the whole graduation thing.”
“I’m so happy for you!” Addie squealed. “I know this is what you wanted.”
“I gotta go and find Mom and Dad. They don’t know yet.” Serena squealed again and bumped into Simon, who jostled two plastic cups in his hands. She waved her hand in his face, giggled, and disappeared on the other side of the bonfire.
“What was that all about?” Ryley said, handing Marc his drink.
“It seems my baby sister’s getting married.”
Addie couldn’t help but notice the moisture in his eyes as he glanced down at Ryley and kissed the top of her head.
“Come on,” he said, his voice choked. “I want to be there when she tells our parents.”
Simon tapped his cup against Addie’s. “It seems there’s a lot to toast tonight.” He grinned over the rim of his cup at her.
“More than you know,” Addie said, lowering her own. “I want you to say it.”
“Say what?” He raised his cup and took a sip, his eyes not wavering from hers.
“What you said before.”
He shook his head, his eyes blank.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” She clutched the front of his T-shirt, drew him closer, and whispered. “It’s not too soon anymore.”
A smile spread across his face, but he didn’t say a word.
“You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”
He nodded, his smile turning into a wide-mouthed grin.
Addie stood on her tiptoes and opened her mouth to speak, but then she flinched. Her eyes filled with horror. “What’s Gloria’s dog, Pippi, dragging behind her?”
Simon spun around. “Good grief! It looks like a human leg bone.” He started toward the small dog, its load three times the size of it, and tugged it from the dog’s jaws. He began to laugh.
“What is it? Is it a leg—”
“No, it’s a piece of driftwood with a large knot on the end.” Simon waved it in the air. He tossed it away from the crowd, and Pippi raced to retrieve it.
“Thank goodness.” Addie patted her pounding chest. “The last thing we needed was a body turning up at the celebration.”
“Darn you. How is it whenever I go to kiss you, you become distracted, just like that time in the park last Christmas?” Simon said, pulling Addie into his arms. “Now, where were we?” he whispered as his lips placed feather-light kisses across her cheek.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Addie pulled back. Her best pouty face set firmly in place—containing the urge to laugh wasn’t easy for her, but she managed it—she cupped his face in her hands, fluttering her lashes and feigning innocence.
A smile tugged at the corners of Simon’s lips. The fireworks overhead reflected the bursts of colors mirrored across the harbor water in his sparkling eyes. “You were just going to tell me you loved me, too,” he whispered, and kissed the palm of her hand as he curled his fingers around hers, then nestled her hand against his chest.
“I was, was I?” A smile dangled at the corners of her mouth as she stood on tiptoes and softly placed her lips on his. Who knew that vanquishing ghosts both old and new would come with such delightful perks?