AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t have pencils.”
“That’s fine. I prefer a pen.”
“And here I thought you always took the safe route,” he said, his tone flat but a glimmer of humor in his eyes.
“There’s nothing wrong with the safe route. Some of us like comfy and secure. Not everyone likes to live on the edge. Some of us appreciate things that are calm, broken in. You know just what you’re getting.”
“I’m sure, like a pair of used slippers,” he said. “Sounds like a fabulous way to go through life.”
“Don’t underestimate old slippers.”
He let out a soft laugh.
The door sounded, followed by heels clacking on stone. My options for escape disappeared before I lifted my head and saw her.
Antoinette walked in dressed in a pantsuit that showcased every feminine line. Her hair was perfect, as if she’d just walked out of the salon. I glanced at the clock. It was seven thirty in the morning. Who got up and dressed like this every day?
She stopped short as she spotted me in the kitchen, doing a crossword, wearing Kaden’s shirt.
She walked over, and he got to his feet. She put a hand on his chest and glided it up to his shoulder. She leaned in for a kiss on his lips that seemed a little too showy for someone who wasn’t trying to prove something.
I went back to drinking my coffee before the second act started.
“Just came by to tell you I’ll be a little late for the company gathering on Saturday night.”
“No problem,” he said in the clipped tone of someone looking to shift the conversation.
“You’re not upset that something has come up, are you?” she asked, keeping her voice loud enough to ensure I could hear every word.
“Not at all. I said it’s fine.”
He didn’t ask why she was going to be late. Why was she going to be late? Was it a legitimate reason, or was it a ploy to make him jealous?
“It’s just I have to meet some people and finalize that deal I’ve been brokering.”
“I told you, it’s not a problem,” he said. He moved away from her, putting his mug in the sink.
She walked over and stood behind him, putting her hands on his shoulders then smoothing the fabric of his jacket. “What time are you planning to go? I know you don’t like to get to these company parties too early.”
Company gathering. Of course Kaden didn’t want to talk about it.
“I’ll let you know later on,” he said, but it felt like he wanted to say something else, or something more.
“It’s too bad you aren’t coming to this one. You aren’t, right?” Antoinette was looking at me while leaving a possessive hand on Kaden. Her mouth should’ve had a warning label, declaring sharp objects inside.
Kaden visibly stiffened and then answered for me. “No. She won’t be. It’s a bit much for this early on. She won’t feel comfortable there.”
I wouldn’t? I kept my face blank, my annoyance buried. I wouldn’t give this woman an inch.
“It’s a yearly thing where all the tinkers get together. It’s fun, but I understand why you wouldn’t be quite up to it yet. If you’re still around, maybe next year you’ll get to meet everyone.” She parted her red lips, flashing perfect teeth.
I didn’t doubt that if something bad did happen to me, her smile would be genuine.
Chapter Nineteen
Istood in front of the door to Topside the next day, staring at it.
Dice walked up beside me, pointed to a switch on the wall, then flipped it up. The light near the door turned green.
