Page 49 of Pretty Lies

Della just didn’t want to think about it.

“And speaking of Cory …”

“What about him?” Della asked, trying to keep her tone normal.

She didn’t need Jennika getting on that bone because her friend wouldn’t let it go. If she thought something was up between Della and Cory, she wouldn’t hear the last of it.

“You’re staying there for the night, huh?”

“Not by choice,” she muttered.

“You know, you say that like it’s a bad thing but … have you looked at that man?”

Regularly.

Too often.

Even when he knew she was.

Della couldn’t help it.

“I’m just saying it wouldn’t hurt to have a little fun,” Jennika said. “Get your mind off the ex that keeps chasing your ass all across the city.”

Right.

Chasing my ass. That was a good way to describe whatever cat and mouse game Luis thought he was playing with Della. Not.

Thankfully, the beep on the call—which told her she had another call coming through—saved her from deflecting or outright lying to Jennika. She checked the screen just to see who was calling.

J.

“I have to go—J’s calling.”

“Mmhmm,” her friend hummed, the teasing tone clear.

“He is.”

“Yeah, probably. Always worrying about you. They all do.”

Della sighed. “I know. Call me tomorrow, okay?”

“Soon as I crack my eyes open.”

“So, like noon?”

Jennika laughed, said her usual bye, bitch and then hung up the phone. Della had a laugh on her lips when she answered her brother’s call.

“Someone’s happy?” J asked before saying anything else.

Della calmed—a bit. She still smiled. “Just … Jennika. She called.”

“Right,” J said, something in his tone that she couldn’t quite decipher. Not that he gave her any time to think on it for long before he said, “I was having a drink with Dad when Cory called.”

“He handled—”

“Yeah, I know,” J interjected, “except Dad had questions, Della.”

Della blew out a hard breath. “Like what?”