Michelle O’Dell was on the list long before Shannon committed suicide.”
“She said something that disturbed me,” Julia said. “She said she drugged Jason so he’d hurt Shannon, thinking they’d break up. She thought it was all one big game.”
“Michelle was one sick young woman.”
“Sick? No. She knew exactly what she was doing and she enjoyed it.” Julia paused. “Maybe James and Stephanie Ridge would like to know their son had been drugged. Give them some closure.”
“Will is going to be talking to them and the O’Dells,” Connor said.
He took Julia’s hand and brought it to his lips. “It’s over.”
“Emily can come home now?”
Connor nodded. “She’s coming back from Montana with Carina on Sunday. I hope that’s okay. She seems to be having a good time up there, and you need a couple of days to recuperate before a teenager moves in.”
“I’ll call her later. Thank you.”
Connor played with her palm. “Are you really okay?”
“Just tired. And sore.”
“I can get you some pain medication-” He started to rise.
She squeezed his hand. “No. Stay.”
He sat back down. “I was worried. You lost a lot of blood.” His voice cracked.
“Did you mean what you said at the studio?”
“I always mean what I say.” He stared at her. “I love you, Julia.”
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
“Don’t cry,” he said.
“I’m not. I just-I was worried about the past. What I did to your life.”
“We don’t live in the past, Julia.” Connor leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. She was still too pale, but time, sun, and lots of love would bring back her old self.
“We were both in a different place then,” Connor said. “We were both right, and we both made mistakes. In the end, though, the dead girls were avenged through the system, not outside of it. And
“I think I’ve always loved you,” Julia said, her emerald eyes bright with emotion. “Do you think we can find happiness?”
Connor kissed her again. “As long as we’re together.”
