The thought twisted his gut, but he was self-aware enough to see the truth in his friend’s words. He might start out with all the goodwill in the world, but what happened a year from now when he was lonely in a new city and his girlfriend was right there and wanted to be with him, too? It would be easy to convince himself that she could finish up college later, transfer to a school close to him, and then when he moved again, another. Or it would be easy to slip up one night and start the family he wanted someday.

She could find someone else. She was beautiful and kind and funny. Any number of men would step up for the right to be with her.

“If the two of you are meant to be together, you’ll find your way back,” Dre said softly. “Let it happen when you’re both ready.”

His mother had married his father at the age of thirty-five. She’d seen the world, had adventures, gone to school, and worked as a professor before she’d settled down and had him. It had been an odd situation back then, but his mother hadn’t given in to societal pressures. Shouldn’t Sylvie have the same opportunities?

Was he ready for a real relationship? Or clinging to what he knew? He cared for Sylvie, but he wasn’t sure he was capable of real love.

“I’ll talk to her tomorrow. I’ll tell her it was a mistake for me to make a move on her before I go away.” He hadn’t meant to kiss her, but then it had felt right.

Dre stood and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, but I think it’s for the best, and I also think that somewhere down the line, who knows what can happen? Now come on. I’ll buy you dinner this time. But that means we’re eating fast food because I’m not a moneybags like you.”

Rene sighed but managed to smile at his best friend. “Absolutely not. We’re getting a proper meal. I’m leaving soon and I’m going to miss this place.”

Miss the place. Miss the food.

God, he was going to miss the girl.

chapter one

PAPILLON, LOUISIANA

Ten years later

Sylvie Martine sat in the small conference room and reflected on her life choices. It was barely noon, but it had already been a long day.

“He had no right to do what he did,” Leonard Denmore said, anger in his tone. “That was my friend he evicted. And with no cause.”

Justin Hardy’s eyes narrowed. “I had plenty of cause. Let’s talk about your friend trashing my property. Have you even read the lease you signed?”

“I signed that for your daddy, who would never, ever have forcibly evicted a good friend,” Leonard retorted.