Page 86 of Eternal Obsession

“Thank you for your comforting words.”

“Clearly you made a bad choice.”

“You’ll be the death of me.”

Alex laughed.

“Do you hear that?” I jumped out of bed and pulled on my robe.

“I told you there’s a guest waiting for you in the lounge.”

“Takeout? That’s not funny. Who is it?”

“Some woman.” Alex opened the door. “Hey, come in.”

I sat up quickly and gestured to him. “Wait.”

Ingrid appeared at the door. “Hello, Jadeon, I . . . didn’t know you had company.” She stepped into the room and squinted. “It’s pretty dark in here.”

“Ingrid, how wonderful to see you!” I forced out.

She was as lovely as I had remembered her, and she was wearing that familiar perfume. She was dressed in blue jeans, white shirt, and a blue jacket, her hair tied up behind her head.

Coco Chanel, Alex conveyed telepathically.

How the hell do you know that? I replied in kind. On the other hand, please don’t tell me.

I had to guard my thoughts more carefully.

Heavy-lined curtains omitted most of the light. I reached over to the table lamp and flicked it on. Ingrid glanced at the ruffled sheets on the four-poster bed which not so long ago she had slept in herself.

She blushed, self-conscious that Alex stared at her. “Is this a bad time?” she asked.

“No.” I read her suspicious mind as she eyed Alex. “He’s my brother. I mean, Ingrid, this is Alex, my younger brother.”

Alex smiled.

“Hello Alex, I am pleased to meet you. I’ve heard such wonderful things about you.”

“All bad, I hope. May I offer you something?” He ignored my glare.

“No thank you. I can’t stay long. I wanted to drop this off for you, Jadeon. It’s a small gesture to thank you for dinner, and of course the dress, and the wonderful evening.” Pulling a small box of chocolates and a card from her bag, she handed it to me.

“Thank you, Ingrid, Cadbury’s chocolate. It’s our favorite.” My stomach growled in response to the aroma of the rich chocolate. “You really shouldn’t have. Would you like one?”

She declined.

I shoved the chocolates in a drawer in the writing table. In response to her subtle reaction, I fibbed. “Alex will only go and eat them all.”

“Yummy,” Alex said, amused.

“Alex, will you give us a moment, please?” I gestured to the large couch.

He sat and pretended to scan the limited reading material on the coffee table.

In mere seconds, I gathered a sheet about me for modesty, climbed out of bed and then slipped into the hotel robe, while she, with quiet grace, turned away to grant me dignity. Securing the robe with a belt, I turned and faced her again.

She studied me with a gaze laced in admiration, tinged ever so faintly with intrigue.