Page 31

“Let’s go.” I grab his arm with a smile. Joining the crowd, we head to the front of the hall.

Carl and I share jokes on the ride home about the art pieces. The three drinks that I’d downed start to warm my body. I’m not much of a drinker, which makes getting drunk efficient and economic. It’s been a while since I’ve had drinks or sex.

Looking at Carl, I start weighing the possibility of killing two birds with one stone. I mean, he’s not unattractive, just a little bland. I know pen-company ink and all that, but I can’t even remember the last time I had sex. That can’t be right. I dig through my memory and come up empty, which somehow makes the decision easier.

A sharp pang catches in my throat, making me pause. What’s wrong with me? It’s not like I actually know him. Or care. I definitely do not care. Taking my phone from my purse, I check my messages to see if he texted. When there’s nothing from him, disappointment settles heavier than it should, and I shove my phone away before I can think about what that means.

When we reach the driveway, Carl steps out to walk around and escort me to the front door. Something I’m very grateful for as walking in heels has become exceedingly difficult. We both laugh at my wobbly legs as we come to a stop at the threshold.

“Good night, Patience.” He tentatively leans down, bringing his face a too close for comfort. My eyes struggle to focus when I realize he isn’t pulling back. An alarm deep in my mind begins to ring. I whip my head back out of reach of his puckered lips. Our attention turns to the flashing headlights across the street. He quickly takes a step back and smiles at me.

“Good night, Carl.”

Casting him a smile, I pull my keys from my purse. Standing with his hands in his pockets, he gives me a nod as I close the door. Gerald is nowhere to be seen. The little thing is likely upstairs waiting on his tuffet like a mini king. Grabbing a glass of water, I move on unsteady legs up the stairs. Yep, definitely too much champagne.

My heel catches on the first step. Immediately recognizing the danger they pose, I wrestle them off and keep moving, my heels in one hand and a glass of water in the other. By the time I make it to the bedroom, every step feels like walking on broken glass.

I fling the offensive torture devices across the room, and a sharp clang answers from the corner. Looking down at my bright red feet, I lift my sore toes. “That was for you, my friends.”

I wiggle them once and instantly regret it. Flinging the shoes clearly wasn’t enough. They deserve fire. I’ll give them to Zarya the next time I see her.

I can just make out Gerald curled up into a tight ball, resting in the remnants of his rose hip treats.

“GERALD! Get up!”

He lazily opens one eye, completely numb to my antics. Rude. I brush a hand over his head, then pull out my phone and check for texts from Ethan again. My mouth curves into a smile as his name lights up the screen.

Answering the call, I lift the phone to my ear.

“Did you forget our signal that you’ve gotten inside safely? I don’t see lights flickering.”

Knowing he’s outside watching me really shouldn’t make me as happy as it does. I wonder how much he saw.

“My feet hurt. Also I can’t be bothered. Were you out there the whole time?”

“Yes. You looked radiant by the way.”

I run my hands along my dress. I’m not usually the type of girl who revels in praise, but I feel my cheeks warm at his compliment. He hasn’t mentioned my date. Not that I think he would care. Not that he should care. The dark room begins to spin as I make my way to the dresser.

“Thanks. I thought it really complimented my date’s tie. Wanted to make sure we entered as a sharp duo.”

Oh, very good, Patience, be more obvious.

The line goes silent for a long minute. A quick check of the screen shows the call running.

“Hmm…yes…about that. I don’t think you should see him anymore.”

I nearly chuckle at his directness.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but that’s going to be difficult. See, we work together, so I see him every day.”

“What? Who is he?”

Through the haze of champagne bubbles bursting in my mind, I register what happened on the stoop. The timing of the car alarm going off suddenly seems exceptionally suspicious.

“Did you set off the car alarm?” Of course he did. Everything about the man practically screams interloper.

“Answer my question first.”