“If we ever meet up again, could you show me that thing you did with your hair at the Netherfield Gala? Dorsey said it was the most beautiful style he’s seen you in.”

“Oh, that twist-out? I would love—” Liza cut herself off. Damned hair vanity almost got her back in that man’s house. “Definitely, Gigi.”

After they hung up, Liza drew a ragged breath. WIC had been so quick to enlist her in his campaign. She had given over her movement to him even when Janae had told her not to. This locked so many hanging questions into place. Why had she never been able to find out much about him online? Why had he ditched her at the gala? Why was he so insistent that she take a swing at Dorsey? How could she have been so wrong about someone? Her stomach lurched when she remembered how readily she had lapped up WIC’s lies.

When Dorsey had confessed to her, he told her nothing but his own truth, even when it cast him in a negative light.

How could she tell him those things when he had been so frank about his feelings for her? She could never face him again. Her arrogance, her stupidity, her willingness to believe any story about him—any terrible story—embarrassed her. She was ashamed of herself, and if she ever saw him again, it would be too soon.

Would she ever live down this egregious mistake in judgment?

This was how Granny found her, crying into her pillow—shoulders shaking, eyes red and puffy.

“Liza, baby, I know this kind of cry.”

“I’m just sad, Granny.” Liza’s voice cracked with the sheer force of trying to sound okay.

“This is the kind of sad only Aretha Franklin can fix.” Granny pulled out Liza’s phone from underneath her. Aretha was reserved for top-tier emotions only. It was the liquor on the top shelf at the emotional bar. She’d heard Aretha as she orgasmed in the back of that town car. Her heart had been so full. And the Queen of Soul would soothe her heart now that it was empty.

“How do I get to ‘Ain’t No Way’ on this phone?” It was a pitch-perfect song. Aretha pleaded to her lover to just let her in, and Granny patted Liza’s head, sliding her hands through the square parts in her twists. It was restorative, and Liza let herself cry into her granny’s chest.

“I think I broke someone’s heart,” Liza finally said through sobs. “They didn’t deserve it.”

“Liza, are you actually having second thoughts about Colin?” Granny sounded incredulous and a little worried.

Liza’s head jerked up from her granny’s breast. “What?”

“Ever since you came home from Alexandria, you’ve been beat down, and I thought—”

“No, Granny.”