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Opening her mouth, Lola wanted to lighten the mood, to say something — anything — to change Carmen’s expression. But she didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know how to talk to Carmen.
“Not having to endure you would have been nice,” Carmen said with a shrug. An enraging display of no-fucks-given. “But that wouldn’t have been fair to the lovely people in your office. I’m sure it’s difficult enough to deal with you on the daily.”
Lola narrowed her eyes, immediately back from whatever momentary insanity had gripped her. “Who can stand you?” She tipped her head to the side, trying to project amusement even when all she had was mounting annoyance. “I guess that’s why you needed Mommy to hire you. Who else would?”
Color rushed up Carmen’s elegant neck and over her cheeks furiously enough to knock the silver spoon right out of her mouth. With a satisfied smile, Lola leaned back in her chair. She’d found a real sore spot.
“You’re such a dick,” Carmen replied, jaw tight.
“For telling the truth?” Lola laughed, feeling more in control than she usually did around Carmen. “Isn’t the little family crest on your website about finding the truth in darkness or some shit? I thought you’d enjoy a little honesty.”
Carmen smirked, an expression that dripped down Lola’s spine like ice water. “Go on my website a lot, do you?” She leaned across the table, the action so quick that it sent a rush of her perfume toward Lola. The scent produced a chemical reaction in Lola’s body she hadn’t figured out how to stop. “Look me up a lot, huh?” She dragged her teeth over her bottom lip, slow and frustratingly hot. “I guess you have to find some way to fill all those lonely nights.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Lola said because she had nothing else. Because she hadn’t thought about what she was admitting. Because Carmen was too close to accurate.
Carmen’s smile bloomed only on one side of her mouth, her eyes bright and energy brighter. “Shut the fuck up?” She lowered her voice, gaze dropping to Lola’s mouth before meeting her eyes again. “Is this where I tell you to make me?”
Lola’s body revolted from her brain’s control. In open mutiny, her skin overheated, and her lips itched to erase the grin on Carmen’s mouth. Every muscle in her body wanted to shove Carmen against the wall and call her bluff.
“Hello!” A woman’s voice snatched Lola back from the brink, breaking their staring contest. “I’m Fortune Firestone,” she said while floating to the front of the room and standing under the TV.
Fortune Firestone, which was absolutely no one’s real name, was a woman somewhere in her fifties with a pixie cut. The gray of her hair was silvery; Lola was sure it was dyed. The three embroidered shawls she was wearing around herself were so vibrant, they cut short all the tangled emotions battling it out in Lola’s body. The woman was an absolute caricature.
Daring to glance at Carmen from the corner of her eye, she was pleased to discover that she looked as confused staring at Fortune as she felt. Feeling her attention on her, even for the briefest moment, Carmen turned to look at her. A dare still lingering in her eyes.
Lola snapped back to Fortune. She wouldn’t risk turning to Carmen again. Not until the throbbing in her chest eased.
“Welcome, welcome,” Fortune said, her voice too airy to be natural. She clasped her hands together, bracelets jangling. “I’m so pleased you’ve chosen to embark on this journey of self-discovery and healing with me.”
Lola resisted the urge to roll her eyes, but only because Fortune was staring right at her. Had no one told this woman they were coerced into showing up? Did she really think they had nothing better to do than this crap?
“Now, why don’t we start by going around and introducing ourselves?” Fortune continued as if she was addressing an auditorium full of people. “Share your name and one thing you hope to get out of our time together.”
Her gaze landed expectantly on Carmen first. Lola sat back, eager to see how Ms. Prim and Proper would handle this.
Carmen shifted in her seat, clearing her throat. “I’m Carmen Vargas,” she began evenly. “I suppose I hope to… broaden my perspective.”
Lola couldn’t hold back a snort. She was so full of shit, Lola should have expected that she had some canned, brown-noser answer at the ready. Carmen cut her eyes at her before continuing. “And learn to be more… Zen… in certain aggravating situations.”
“Lovely, lovely,” Fortune said, nodding. “Very wise intentions. And you?” She turned to Lola.
Lola sat up straighter, determined not to sound ridiculous like Carmen had. “I’m Lola Barros. And I would like to get through this month and pass this class.”
“Wonderful.” Fortune smiled widely like Lola had said something flowery and dripping with woo-woo juice. “You’re in the right place for that.” She laughed, but Lola wasn’t sure they were in on the same joke.
“Now, let’s begin our work by opening your chakras and seeing what energy needs clearing between you…”
Fortune started waving her hands around dramatically, as if sensing invisible auras. Lola couldn’t stop her eyes from rolling a second time. Across from her, Carmen was biting the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.
In all the time they’d known each other, Lola had never seen her smile with anything other than contempt or derision. Her chest tingled at the sight.
Forcing her attention back to Fortune, who was now pretending to speak in tongues, Lola got ahold of herself. Digging her nails into her palm, she focused.
What the hell are you doing?
CHAPTER6
Perspiration madeCarmen’s lucky silk shell, turquoise with a bow around the neck that made her feel invincible, stick to her back. She’d worn the shirt to the very first hearing she’d covered as a barred attorney. One of the firm’s corporate clients had been arrested and charged with securities fraud. There hadn’t been time to find a criminal lawyer, and no one else in the firm had ever appeared in criminal court, so she’d volunteered to show up on his behalf and try to get him released from jail.
