Forever in Love by Nadia Lee

and made him feel small for judging her, like she was another Ceinlys. Championing her now seemed like the most natural thing in the world. The need to make things right, even if it was something as small as her stolen purse, had driven him all the way to Willie Rae’s doorstep. “Different issue.”
    “You always were a fool for a fine rich woman, Blaine. She won’t thank you or see you any different because of this, but I see you different. You ain’t no smart boy. Your mama must be rolling in her grave now.”
    He almost said, “Think your son’s proud of you stealing?” but managed to swallow the words in time. There was no reason to hit so low.
    He ignored Willie Rae’s rant and walked away. The old bat knew nothing. His mother would have been proud of him for doing the right thing.
    * * *
    Catherine stepped out of her car and stared at the cheerful sign outside The Line. She probably should’ve stayed home and had a salad. But she hated prepping meals just for herself, and she didn’t feel like staying home alone and brooding about what had happened between her and Blaine.
    Once the moment was over, she regretted having talked so much. The more she thought about it, the more she was convinced she’d been stupid. Her sob story made her sound like a pathetic little thing who was too dumb to figure out there was always something wrong with men who promised too much. When something sounded too good to be true, it generally was.
    In addition, having sex—well, sort of—with Blaine complicated things. He wasn’t just some guy from Cooter’s Bluff. He was Salazar’s son, and she would most likely run into him again. It wouldn’t be long before he took the money and his rightful place among the Pryces. He might be holding out at the moment, but he had fifty million reasons to cave in.
    She took a deep breath.
Too late for regrets now
. Hiding would be counterproductive since she really needed that favor from Salazar. She went inside and immediately saw Janey. “Hey, Catherine. Want a table?” she asked.
    “Sure. And my usual, if you wouldn’t mind.”
    Janey took Catherine to a small table in the far corner. “I’ll bring out your dinner soon.”
    Catherine got herself situated and within a few minutes Janey placed the salad—grilled chicken with no cheese or croutons, house vinaigrette on the side—and a glass of water on the table. When Catherine arched an eyebrow, she winked and sauntered off. Catherine smiled to herself and started eating.
    A sudden hush fell in the bar and restaurant. She raised her head and saw a tall boy walk past Mimi. The kid was probably nineteen or twenty, but he was built like a truck with the face of an angel. His golden hair curled around his collarbones, and it was artfully messy, like he’d spent hours fooling with it. Still, something about the way he stared out at the world through rebellious brown eyes said he was too busy to spend time so frivolously. His gray long sleeve shirt and faded jeans were clean but old. His Nikes had a tired, beaten up look to them.
    He swaggered to an empty table not too far from Catherine, and the crowd parted like the Red Sea before Moses.
    Blaine came out, a scowl darkening his face. He half-blocked Catherine’s view, and she leaned over to see better.
    “Sean,” Blaine bit out.
    “’Sup?”
    “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you in school?”
    The kid shrugged. “I don’t feel like it.”
    “Did something happen?”
    “No, nothing happened. College kids do get some time off here and there, you know.” He flopped into a chair at an empty table.
    Janey set a plate of bacon cheeseburger and fries in front of the kid. “Eat.”
    “You’re the best.” Sean dug in.
    Blaine shot her a dirty look, but she merely said, “The boy’s gotta eat. And you gotta tend the bar. Rick can’t handle it all by himself.”
    “Fine.” Blaine went back behind the bar.
    Catherine chewed on her chicken, while keeping an eye on Sean.