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I scrunched up my face in confusion and disgust as he left the room, still rambling in his cat nonsense at the top of his lungs.
“What the hell is going on?” I asked no one in particular.
9
Kenzie
A few hours after my meeting with Sebastian’s weird cat, the “not butler,” Jasper, had brought me a tray with a turkey sandwich and assorted fruit. I’d asked him a few dozen questions, but the only response I got was him bowing his head apologetically and backing out of the room.
Totally a butler, I thought. Even though he hadn’t responded when I asked for a phone, he’d come back to my room a few minutes later with an old-fashioned land-line phone, plugged it into the wall, and shuffled back outside.
Thankfully, I remembered Trinity’s number and gave her a call once I was alone again. I was hoping for some much needed advice on how I should move forward. Being the maniac she was, Trinity had insisted on coming over instead of speaking over the phone like a normal person. I tried to fight her about it, realized I was wasting my time, and got the address of Sebastian’s place from Dr. Willows.
There was nothing I could really do but wait for Trinity to arrive.
I glanced at the time and saw it had somehow only been about four or five hours since I first woke up in this room. Everything before this morning still felt fuzzy and dreamlike. I had a sense that I’d be thinking straight again soon, though. I also was beginning to suspect my headache and forgetfulness probably had more to do with waking up in a strange place and not getting enough sleep than falling on my face.
Unfortunately for me, a clear head just let me see how deep in the shitter I was. I rubbed my hands across my face and tried to shake it all off like a dog getting out of the pool. I could handle this. Was it weird? Definitely. Was it the end of the world? Definitely not. Besides, I’d seen a writer’s podcast once that said authors should be grateful for challenges. It all fuels the mental library. Or something like that.
The door to my room swung open, revealing Sebastian, who was leading Trinity in by the arm. Neither of them looked amused by the situation.
“This one says she knows you?” he asked.
Trinity shook loose from his grasp, glaring at him. “This one told you her name, asshole.”
Sebastian ignored her, waiting for my response.
“That’s my best friend, Trinity. Can we have a little privacy?”
“How did she find my house?”
“I asked Dr. Willows for the address and gave it to her,” I said.
His face went hard, jaw flexing. “I need to speak with Dr. Willows about giving out my address.” He was gone from the doorway as quick as he’d come.
“He’s just as charming as he came off at the conference,” Trinity muttered. She rubbed at her arm where he’d been holding her. “So how do I bust you out of here?” she asked, kneeling beside me on the bed so our eyes were level. She lowered her voice to a hushed whisper. “I think if I get the jump on that big bastard, I could get my arms around his neck. Then you take him in the knees. Once he’s down we stomp his balls and run for it.”
“Or,” I said, eyebrows raised. “I ask my best friend for advice on the crazy offer he made me.”
When I finished explaining his proposal, Trinity still looked like she was considering a sneak attack. She tapped her chin. “It sounds suspicious.”
“Yeah, I know. But having a free place to stay would be nice.”
“Assuming he doesn’t put you in a giant pickle jar to add to his collection.”
I sputtered out a surprised laugh. “A giant pickle jar? That’s what you come up with?”
“Side note… Why did pickled cucumbers get the honors of just being called a ‘pickle.’ If he picked you, then you’d be a pickled ‘Kenzie.’ Or if you pickle cabbage, it’s ‘pickled cabbage.’ But cucumbers? Just a ‘pickle.’”
“Uh, I’m not sure,” I said. “But I’m also not sure that’s anywhere near the top of my priority list right now.”
“Right. Because you’re in quite the pickle…” Trinity stared at me expectantly like a proud father who had just made a terrible joke to one of his kids.
I glared but couldn’t help smiling at the look on her face. “I think I’m going to do it. But I wanted to give you a chance to talk me out of it.”
“Oh, how gracious of you. When have I ever been able to talk you out of anything in your entire life? You’re the most bullheaded, stubborn person I know.”
“Don’t spare my feelings or anything,” I muttered.
“Hey, who tried to tell you it was a bad idea to go throw your coffee at Sebastian when you found out he had a book signing nearby?”
