Lila laughed. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. You can’t be serious.”
“I’m as serious as a gas attack.”
Kevin chuckled. “Uh, I think that’s supposed to be ‘serious as a heart attack’.”
“Oh.” Merry felt the blush rising from her neck to her face.
Lila laughed hysterically. When she could speak again, she said. “Look, don’t bother lecturing me. I have first amendment rights and I can print whatever the hell I observe, and I saw him cheat on you with my own eyes.”
“Bullshit,” Merry yelled. “He wasn’t cheating. You were at that bachelor auction, and you knew he was obligated to take that woman out. And the other woman you saw was just a fan who happened to recognize him as he was out getting some fresh air. It’s because of people like you that he has to avoid being seen in public.”
Lila leaned against her house. “Oh, isn’t that sweet. You decided to stand by your man.”
Merry wanted to jump the woman right there and scratch her eyes out. She took a step forward and Kevin jammed his body in front of her again.
Roz came rushing up the walkway, shouting, “Don’t touch her, Merry. So far, you’re okay and all we needed to do is warn the woman.”
“Warn me? About what?”
Roz straightened to her legal-eagle pose. “Leave Merry and Falco alone, or I’ll slap you with a lawsuit for libel.”
“Why is she calling you Merry?”
“Because that’s my name, doofus.”
Kevin shifted uncomfortably. “Look, I don’t like the possibility of getting in the middle of a cat fight. If you’ve said what you came to say, you should go, now.”
Roz nodded. “I agree. Let’s go, Merry. She’s been warned.”
Merry hesitated long enough to give the bitch the evil eye. “Fine,” she said between clenched teeth. “But I’ll be watching you.” She pointed at Lila as she joined Roz.
Lila’s eyes lit up as though she enjoyed the challenge. “Oh, you do that.”
“Come on, Morgaine. You’ve been stalling all week. I know you don’t like interacting with the nosy bitch, but I’ll be right there with you. If she gives you any trouble, I’ll trip her, and you can enjoy watching her fall ass over teakettle down the stairs.”
Morgaine tittered. “Chad, all I can say is I’m glad you’re onmyside. Okay, let’s go.” She tossed her book onto the coffee table and wrapped a black shawl around her shoulders.
“Sorry about the draft.”
She shrugged. “You can’t help it. I understand.”
“Do you mind taking the stairs? It’s only one flight, and the elevator’s kind of a pain in the ass for me.”
“Sure. No problem. I wish I could just go to the penthouse directly, but his aunt made it clear that we’re not to bother him.” She opened the door and hesitated a moment before she closed it. “Are you out?”
“Out and hovering over the stairs. You realize you wouldn’t have hurt me even if you had slammed it on my foot, right?”
“Oh, that’s right. Well, pardon me for being courteous.”
“I was just busting your chops. Let’s do this thing.”
Morgaine descended gracefully down the steps to the second floor.
Chad really liked Morgaine. He couldn’t figure out why she didn’t try to date more.She’s certainly pretty enough by anyone’s standards—in a gothy way, but still… I guess her need to stay close to the telephone cramps her style.It was a shame Dottie made them curtail their noisy phone calls. That was part of the fun. Now they’d lost customers and didn’t know what they’d do to make ends meet.
Morgaine was training Gwyneth on the psychic hotline and hoped to train herself to act as a medium. That was the deal. She’d help Chad, and he’d help her. He hoped they’d be able to pull it off. It was one thing to open your mind and listen to a spirit who’s trying to communicate with you. It’s quite another level of difficulty to open your mouth and let them use your vocal cords. He wasn’t sure this psychic thing was really a good gig for them.
“What’s worse is sometimes you have to summon the spirits, and God knows where they are.I mean, I’m hanging around my old apartment because I don’t know where else to go. Outdoors is a really bad idea on windy days and if you think rain or snow feels lousy hitting you on your skin, imagine whatit feels like passing right through you. Brrrr…Oh, good, we’re here.”
