“I know, but I have to ask you—for me, for my brother—if you hold on to the wrong that was done to you, how do you have hands ready to reach out for what’s right? I think I have to let go of Wesley and all my anger so when I get another chance, I can grab it with both hands, and this time I won’t let go. If I get one more shot at really loving someone, at being a wife and a lover and a best friend, I’ll let go of everything that went wrong before and I’ll hold on for dear life. That’s what I’ll hold close to my heart. Love and not pain. I wish the same for my brother, but that choice has to be yours.”

A red basket of French fries dropped between her and Seraphina. Zep stared down at them. “There. Those are hand-cut fries to go with the sandwiches. And I remember what both of you like to drink. Sweet tea and if it’s a shitty afternoon, vodka tonic for Sera, and a super-buttery Chardonnay for you, Lisa. Because I do listen.” He turned and then swiveled again on his heels. “And don’t you dare give me tips. I don’t take tips from family. I live to serve my family.”

He walked away so primly she couldn’t help but laugh.

Sera smiled, too, though tears slipped from her eyes. “A long time. Like years from now he’s going to be a great husband to someone. Maybe it’s someone who isn’t born yet.”

Lisa laughed and then sobered as Remy walked in. His eyes moved over the dining room until he found her. There was no denying how he smiled her way, how his whole body seemed to relax now that he saw she was here and okay. He winked her way and then headed for the bar.

And she wished he’d walked down and taken her into his arms and kissed her until she couldn’t breathe.

“Think about what I said.” Seraphina lifted her glass. “Until then, welcome to Papillon, Lisa. I hope you enjoy your time here, and don’t sweat the lawsuit thing. The only lawyer who’ll take her is terrible. Of course he’s the only lawyer in town, and he mostly spends his time bailing Zep out of jail. We’ll have Momma put the gris-gris on him.”

“And then she can heal him.” It was a pretty good business now that she thought about it. She clinked glasses with Seraphina and then turned at the sound of the door to the kitchen being thrown open.

Remy walked toward the patio, his hand on his brother’s neck. “You wanted a job, brother. This is part of the job.”