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His brows lift, then furrow in thought.
“Are you sure it’s necessary? Is there any way you can do the tests here? I just don’t want something to happen to them. They’re so fragile. Not to mention the insurance paperwork to transfer them.” He waddles over to the display case and runs his hand along the edge.
“The tests that need to be done require equipment that can’t be transported out of the lab. I promise you I’ve never had anything damaged when I’ve sent it in for testing. We have some of the best scientists in the nation, who will ensure there is no damage.”
Hesitantly, he nods a forced approval.
“All right. If you think it has to be done, then fine.” He turns to look at me, and I can spot the worry in his eyes. “Just please make sure they come back here.” He gently clutches my arm.
“Of course. I’ll have someone from the lab collect them.”
He squeezes my arm for a brief moment before letting go.
“The vases will be fine. I promise. They’re very good at what they do, and I haven’t had a problem.”
Nodding, he escorts me to the front entrance. I see him wave in the rearview mirror as I reach the top of the hill. Driving quiets my mind, but tonight, it’s loud static noise.
The vases, the manuscript…that handsome asshole who stole my manuscript.
Is it irrational that I should hate someone so much without ever speaking to them? Maybe. At this point, there are too many problems for me to solve at once. All I want is a hot bath and some wine…maybe some bubbles too.
My momentary mental bliss of a bubble bath is cut short when I pull into my driveway.
The cars parked in my driveway indicate I’m in for a loud night. I know better. At least I should know better. Always text my sisters back. Otherwise, they plot impromptu gatherings. The sounds of laughter reach my ears as I make my way to the front door.
“So, I’m guessing we aren’t letting each other know when we’re stopping by now?” I shout as I enter the front door. My feet turn to follow the laughter.
Stepping out from the foyer, I turn into the kitchen, only to see Zarya and Litza sitting at the kitchen island, intently focused on the bowl in front of them.
Rounding the island, I roll my eyes at Gerald, who is lying on a mountain of Cheerios in the mixing bowl. A little bloated chinchilla king. His head rolls to the side, looking up at me in annoyance at being disturbed from his servants’ attention.
“You’ve been ignoring us for several days, drastic measures, sis.”
Zarya says, nodding with a snarky smile.
“And you? I expect this from Zarya, but you? I’m insulted.”
Litza looks elegant as always. Her chocolate, nearly black hair is perfectly coiled into a clip. Long errant locks flow over the sides of the clip in a way only specialists can manage. Her lightly tanned skin is something I can only dream of but never obtain. God, she’s annoyingly put together.
“Don’t even start with the drama. She’s right. Besides we know you didn’t get the manuscript, and we wanted to check on you. Zarya insisted. Said that you would be sad. Are you sad?” Her brow tilts, but her eyes never leave the wineglass in front of her.
“First of all, how do you guys know about the auction? Secondly, I’m not sad. I’m upset.” My gaze tracks to Elitza who does a piss poor job of hiding her smile as she takes another sip of wine.
“It wasn’t that difficult. A nice young man at the auction house told me.” Zarya shakes her shoulder-length silver hair to entertain Gerald.
The little traitor is practically beaming as he reaches for her silver strands.
“Dear god. Who did you sleep with at the auction house?”
“I didn’t have to sleep with anyone. I just flirted a little—Wait, what kind of slut do you think I am?”
I have to stop myself from snorting.
Zarya is a caring and loving person, but her morals are questionable when it comes to sex. The blue mark on my hip from where I got stabbed with a pencil in the tenth grade constantly reminds me to approach her love life with caution. Her relationships tend to get a bit messy.
“Well, I wouldn’t say a slut…you do have a bit of a past though…”
“She means you’re a slut,” Litza chirps, throwing her head back, laughing.
