Free Black Dahlia (The Dahlia Trilogy of The Gilded Flower Series Book 2) by Vivian Winslow Page B

Lil, that’s great.”
    “It is. I can’t talk about it now. I have to go into a meeting. Just tell me where I can find you.”
    Dahlia looks out the window of the executive lounge onto the tarmac, wondering the very same thing.
    She closes her eyes and says, “California. I have to take care of some things. Then I’ll let you know what I decide.”
    “Okay. If you need me, call, no matter what. Promise?”
    “Yeah, alright.”
    “By the way, the engagement party will be some time next month. I didn’t want one, but Alejandro’s mom insists. It’ll be a small affair. Please say you’ll come.”
    “Of course, Lil. You’re my sister. Anything for you.”
     

Chapter 34
    “Dahlia, dear, it’s so wonderful to see you again.” Pearl hugs Dahlia as she steps into the foyer. “How are you?”
    “I’m doing alright,” Dahlia replies.
    Pearl takes Dahlia’s hands into hers and steps back. She looks Dahlia over. “I’d say your vacation did wonders for you. You look healthy.”
    Dahlia nods. “It was good. It was nice to spend time with Lily and Vi.”
    “I’m sure, honey. Well, come on in.” Pearl leads Dahlia up the stairs into the living area. The house has been cleaned since Dahlia left, but everything was still in its place. No, she could never live here again, she affirms to herself.
    “You said you wanted to talk,” Dahlia prompts, preferring not to spend any more time in Shane’s place than she has to. It was his home, and hers only briefly.
    “Oh, yes, of course. Thanks so much for coming up from L.A. I was surprised when you mentioned you’re staying in Santa Monica. What took you there?”
    Dahlia shrugs. Perhaps because it’s a city for lost people. “I’m not ready to go back to New York just yet, so I enrolled in some art classes in the fall at UCLA. I’m thinking about getting back into photography.”
    “Oh, my, I love that. Those pictures you took of Shane are remarkable.”
    “Thanks, Pearl. It means a lot.” Dahlia looks out the window at the ocean.
    Sensing Dahlia’s discomfort, Pearl says, “The lawyers will be here soon. I figured it would be easiest to take care of the paperwork while you’re visiting. That way the transfer of ownership can go to Troy and me as soon as possible. I know you’d rather not deal with this matter any longer than you have to.”
    Dahlia nods. “I’m glad it will stay in the family. Troy will make Shane proud.” She swallows back his name. “Sebastian didn’t want to stay on as partner?”
    Pearl shakes her head. “No. It was too much responsibility. He asked we maintain his sponsorship and buy him out.”
    “Do you need money for the buyout?”
    “Of course not. Shane was always very generous with us.” Pearl lays a gentle hand over Dahlia’s.
    “Before the lawyers arrive, I wanted to give you this. I found it while I was going through Shane’s desk a couple of weeks back. I was holding onto it until I saw you.”
    Pearl lays a plain envelope on the glass table. Dahlia glances at it, seeing her name written on the outside in Shane’s script, the edges yellowed with time.
    “What is it?” Dahlia asks, fingering the envelope.
    “I didn’t open it. It’s yours.”
    Dahlia’s heart begins to beat hard against her chest. All these weeks of making her peace with Shane’s death, and now she has to confront it all over again. Yet another reminder that he isn’t here to say what he wanted to in person.
    “I’ll open it later, if you don’t mind,” she says, placing the envelope in her purse.
    Pearl shakes her head. “Not at all.” She opens her mouth to say something but is interrupted by the doorbell. “That must the lawyers. We’ll talk more later.”
     

Epilogue
    Dahlia reads the letter over again, the paper wrinkled from the many times she’s folded and unfolded it, the ink smeared from the tears she shed when she read it the first, second, and even third time. After that, the tears had dried up. She couldn’t cry