10
HALEY
I followed Elian into the house, as grateful for the air conditioning as I was for the food.
Phew. New Orleans needed a level-ten boob sweat warning stamped right there on the welcome sign.
The interior was even more picture-perfect than the outside, completely remodeled but still retaining its original charm. Lush draperies hung over floor-to-ceiling windows, and crown molding wrapped around the tops of the high walls, everything done in an elegant palate of creams, sages, and black. Nothing was out of place—I’d be surprised if Saint had even spent much time here.
I took a moment to look around, bracing for the same gut-punch that’d socked me outside. It didn’t come, though. My spell seemed to be working, keeping me grounded. Keeping me sane.
Just a beautiful old house, I r
