Chapter 78

No…what he wanted, was Christophe. Only Christophe.

He had to see him. Now

“You’ll be happy, Claudine,” Joe said, after a while. “‘Cause you understand happiness.”

“Oh, Joey, and what about you? Tell me.” She reached for his hands again. “What’s gonna happen to you? I don’t want you to be alone no more. I don’t want you to suffer no more—”

“I won’t.” Joe smiled at her because she deserved peace.

“Swear it to me. Tell me you’ll love somebody and let yourself be loved.” She suddenly stood and looked around. “But first, tell me, where does your mother keep that wine of hers?”

Joe laughed and it felt so very good. “In the cupboard there.”

She found it and glasses too. “Now, my friend, let’s celebrate.” She straddled the chair, her skirts flying, and poured the wine in their short glasses.

Joe raised his glass to hers. “To you…and, um, what’s the fellow’s name?”

She laughed, throwing her head back. “Honoré.” She winked and drank. “You’d like him.”