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“A bath?” Jack’s eyebrows shot up. “It’s freaking two hundred degrees outside.”
“A cold one!”
“Get in the pool then, you moron! Stop wasting water.” Jack shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Teenagers.” Giving me a wave, he stomped into the kitchen; his voice trailed back as he chatted with Anna.
Taking a risk, playing with fire, I pressed my mouth against the door and whispered, “Neri...open up. Let me in. I know something’s not right. Let me help.”
She didn’t reply.
The sound of running water splashed in the bath.
I stood there for as long as I could before Jack came to get me, shoved another beer in my hand—despite his scolding to sober up—and dragged me to the couch to watch some Aussie football.
* * * * *
5 P.M.
Neri finally came out of the bathroom.
She’d stayed in there for over an hour and only appeared in a flash of skin and towel before darting into her bedroom.
I’d stopped drinking.
But it didn’t stop the black, dangerous fog in my head.
I’d driven myself mad with fear over what she’d been doing in there.
My stomach hadn’t stopped churning, and as much as I wanted to storm into her bedroom and demand she speak to me, I couldn’t.
Jack kept me occupied by forcing me to root for his favourite football team and Anna put me to work in the kitchen, carving the chicken and making sure the table was perfectly set.
For two fucking hours, I did what I could to thank the Taylors for yet another year of harbouring me, another year of keeping me safe, all while my heart and soul were with Neri down the corridor.
And by the time she appeared, she took my fucking breath away.
Her hair was sleek and loosely curled in ways she only did when she went out to parties with her friends. The ugly floral shirt was gone, replaced with a skimpy black dress with rose gold stitching across the bodice. Her breasts spilled out the top, her legs went on for miles, and her eyes absolutely hypnotised me.
Black eyeshadow made her seem both sultry and witchy, thick lashes, cheeks dusted with colour, and lips painted an enticing peach. She walked past the back of the couch; I couldn’t help twisting to stare after her. She left me in a cloud of frangipani perfume. The scent she knew made me hard as a fucking rock.
Padding barefoot into the kitchen, Neri said softly, “What do you think?”
“Wow, sweetie!” Anna exclaimed as Neri went to her mother. “You look absolutely amazing! You’ve put the rest of us to shame. I had no idea we were going to eat in our party dresses.”
“It’s okay. I just felt like dressing up.” Neri rubbed her forearms, glancing at her wrists. “Wanted to feel...pretty, you know.”
Anna wrapped her arms around Neri. “Sweetie, you are the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. You don’t need make-up and a little black dress to prove it.”
I stood and headed toward the threshold of the living room and the kitchen, drawn to her despite myself. “You’re stunning,” I choked. “I-I can’t take my eyes off you.”
I stiffened for Jack’s suspicion or Anna’s confusion, but Anna just beamed and nodded. “Isn’t she just? My little girl, all grown up.”
“Bloody hell, Nerida.” Jack bowled past me and scooped Neri into his arms. “That’s it. Who is this vixen, and what did you do with my little fish?”
Neri laughed, but it was hollow. The sadness in her eyes, even while her lips faked happiness, carved out my heart with a rusty dagger. “I’m still her, Dad. Put me down.”
“Nope. I’m never putting you down again. In fact, you’re forbidden from going to Townsville next year. I won’t survive you not living under my roof. Especially looking like that.” He squeezed her until she grunted in his arms. “You’re far too precious. No one is allowed to touch you.”
“Ha ha.” She patted him on his head, ruffling his hair like she used to.
