Roman knew something bad happened that night, but was afraid to ask what.
“I called her the next day, intending to tell her it wasn’t nice to leave without telling me. I could tell she was crying. I asked what was wrong. She couldn’t even talk. I left work and went to see her. It took a while, but she told me everything. She was so ashamed, and it was my fault. I should’ve been watching out for her instead of off having a good time.”
His hands shifted on the wheel. “Did someone rape her?” He could feel the heat of anger rising.
“No, thank God. She said she felt good and started to dance. By herself. A man took her in his arms and danced with her. When he asked if she wanted to leave, she said yes. He took her to a condo in Malibu. You can guess the rest.”
Roman’s hands tensed on the wheel.
Shanice looked straight ahead. “She didn’t ask his name. She said they barely talked. She couldn’t even remember what he looked like. Tall, dark hair, strong. When he went into the bathroom after they had sex, she threw on her clothes and left.” Shanice started to cry. “That’s the last time I went to After Dark. Until tonight. I didn’t want to be reminded of what a lousy friend I was that night.”
She wiped away tears. “I told Grace how sorry I was. I should’ve stayed with her. Her self-esteem was in the basement. Of course she blamed herself.” She looked out the car window. “She would’ve been safer with her hair up. Men seem to go for blondes. And that black dress.”
Roman remembered how beautiful Grace looked the night of his Laguna Beach art exhibit.
Shanice sat up straighter in the passenger seat and looked at him, eyes glittering in the dim light. “Would you like to know why Grace bleached her hair? Her husband said she’d be pretty if she were a blonde. Can you believe that? As if she isn’t already beautiful inside and out. But you know Grace. She wants to do her best at everything she does, and of course, she wanted to be a good wife. So, she gave him what he wanted. Not that it made any difference to that jerk.”
Roman winced, seeing himself as he’d been.
“She told me she has terrible judgment when it comes to men.” She gave him a wincing look.
“Including me, you mean.” His heart was pounding hard and fast. “Sounds like she’s right.” He glanced at Shanice. “Did she ever go back to After Dark and try to reconnect with the guy?”
“Are you kidding? No!”
“Just wondering. She had a relationship with someone after her divorce, didn’t she?”
“A boyfriend, you mean?” Shanice shook her head. “Not that I know about, and I’d know.” She shifted in the passenger seat, facing him. “I don’t get it, Roman. Why is it some people can get away with everything, and then along comes someone sweet like Grace, and she can’t even act out one time without paying the full price.”
Roman glanced at her. “What price?”
She gave him a pained smile. “Samuel.”
Roman felt like she’d punched him in the stomach. “I thought she and her ex—”
“He didn’t want children. She lost a baby once, and he actually celebrated. He didn’t want the responsibility.” Shanice looked at the street ahead. “She didn’t tell us for three months. She could’ve had an abortion. A friend even suggested it.”
He went hot. “You?”
“No, but I’m not saying who. Grace thought about giving him up for adoption. It was agreed that Selah and Ruben Garcia would take him, but the minute Grace held Samuel, she couldn’t go through with it. It’s been an emotional tug-of-war from day one. When you rented her the cottage, she saw a way out of her situation, and then, of course, that changed. I just wish she hadn’t left LA. I miss her.” She met his gaze briefly. “She wanted her son to grow up in a safer place.”
“She needed to get away from the Garcias. And me.” Roman pulled alongside the curb and put the car in park, leaving the engine idling. “Anything else you want to tell me about Grace?”
Shanice looked apologetic. “I think I’ve said too much already.”
He waited a moment longer and saw she meant it. “I love her, Shanice.” He wanted to ask how to find her. Jesus, I want to get things right. Oh, God; oh, God.
Shanice’s eyes glistened. “I know you love her, Roman. And I’d give you her address if I hadn’t given my word.”
He got out of her car. Shanice came around to the driver’s side, but didn’t get in. She put her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have even brought her up tonight. I don’t know why I did. It wasn’t my right to tell you her story.”