AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I edged the car forward as the traffic lights changed up ahead, debated how much to say. “Verity has her issues, Katie, but I don’t believe for a second she’s written you off as an idiot. Far from it.”
“Oh, she has,” she said. “It’s all she’s ever said to me.Stupid, pathetic, nobody wants you. Idiot.”
“Plenty of people have a front. It’s often the most insecure of us who lash out the hardest.”
She laughed. “Verity?! Insecure?! No way. She’s so full of herself I’m surprised she fits her pouty little head through the door.”
“She didn’t seem so full of herself this afternoon, Katie. She was quite upset.”
I watched her reactions, watched her shoulders tense up and her lips tighten. “Good. Maybe it brought her down a peg or two.”
“Stop,” I said. “You aren’t a bitter person. Don’t let success make you someone you’re not. You’re so much better than that.”
She looked like I’d struck her. “I didn’t… I’m not… that’s not what I meant…” She turned her shoulders towards me. “It’s just her, Carl, she makes me like this. I’m not gloating. I’d never gloat.”
I didn’t say a word, just waited, watching the cogs turning behind her pretty eyes.
“She was upset?”
“She’s taken it hard, not getting a lead this week. She worked for it, just the same as everyone else did. Just the same as you did.”
“That’s what she said? That she’s upset about not getting a lead in?”
“Amongst other things.”
She turned her attention back to the road in front. “She’s manipulative, game playing, spoiled. She’s never sincere. She’ll say whatever she wants you to hear.”
“I’m a bit long in the tooth to be taken in by all that, Katie. Give me some credit.”
“I know,” she said. “It’s just her. I know her.”
“As do I.”
She sighed. “I know. Sorry.”
I’d ruined her mood. I could see it in her posture, in her eyes. It was the last thing I’d wanted. I reached out, smoothed a stray tuft of hair behind her ear. “Enough of all that,” I said. “It’s your special day. What do you want to do to celebrate? I’ll take you anywhere, do anything you want. My treat.”
Her smile came back. “You will?”
“It will be my pleasure.”
I should have guessed her response a clear mile away.
“Samson,” she said. “I’d like to see my furry boy. I’ve missed him so much.” My stomach panged to see the emotion in her eyes. “I could get some riding in, if we’re quick.”
“As the lady wishes,” I said.
We called Rick to see if he could join us, but he was still on his way back from a client sign-off in Weston.
Fuck,he groaned.One day out and it’s the day I have to miss the big celebration.
“We’ll celebrate later,” Katie said. “No biggie.”
It will be a biggie, he said, and his voice was dripping dirty. I watched her shift in her seat, and it made my dick hard.
I smiled as the call wrapped up.
“Just us, then.”
