Page 80 of Ravaged With You

Red nods. “Love you, buddy,” he says. “And next year we’re celebrating the release of Mel’s Special Reserve. Try not to let it go to your head. We love you. And we know wherever you are, you’re watching out for both of us.”

It’s my turn, and I blink back tears. “We miss you, Mel. Friend. Husband. I hope you know how much I’ve always loved you. You and Red were the best friends I ever had. Despite everything, we had a good life. I hope you thought so, too.”

Since it’s heavy, I give Red the urn, afraid I might drop it. We stand with the wind behind us, and as he tilts it, I watch Mel’s ashes catch in the wind and get blown out to the sea.

“Goodbye,” I whisper when the urn is empty.

“Slange, buddy,” Red says, and I smile at the toast. With a sigh, I press my hand over my belly where little Mel or Melanie is growing, then fall in step beside my husband as we head back toward the bungalows.

Renly is there, standing with Abby. A few feet behind them, Simon is arguing with Damien, though I can’t tell about what.

Abby gives me a hug and Renly hooks an arm around Red. “You two good?” he asks.

“We’re fine,” Red says after catching my eye. “But what’s the story with Simon?”

Though he still does the occasional job with Devlin Saint, Simon has signed on officially with Stark Security, so I’m assuming something’s up with one of his operations.

“More like he’s trying to avoid an operation in the first place,” Renly says when I suggest as much.

“What do you mean?”

Renly and Abby share amused glances. “You know how much love Simon doesn’t have for the Hollywood elite?”

“Sure.” I don’t know Simon that well, but his dislike of the Hollywood A-list is hard to miss.

“So what’s happened?” Red asks.

“Francesca Muratti happened,” Abby says, her lips twitching. “Apparently she just hired the agency. And our man Simon is the guy on point.”

THE END