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Standing up, I clutch my purse in my arms. “I don’t feel very well.”
He continues to write, not looking up. “Fine, take the rest of the afternoon off.”
Yeah, I was going to do that whether he gave me permission or not.
Though my chest feels tight with the sting of betrayal, the last thing I want to do is prove him right by bursting into tears. And I also refuse to be seen wandering the halls of the Green Mansion as a sobbing mess.
No, I’m going to hold my head up and remain clear eyed. No one will suspect that I’m crushed beyond words.
While I don’t exactly slam the door to my father’s office closed, I don’t shut it softly either.
The eyes of dead Emerald City mayors leer at me from the walls.
I flip them off.
It’s something Micah would do, which is exactly why I did it.
But instead of making more obscene gestures to dead men or running back down the hall to accuse my father of being a callous jerk, I do what I always do when I feel like the pressure is chewing me to pieces from the inside and I need to hear a friendly voice.
I call my best friend. “What are you doing now? Can I come over?”
Chapter19
Tess
Dani is spending the day with Cecile, who is now completely bedridden, never leaving her room at Matilda’s house. Dani insisted that I come over anyway.
Gage is here too and he answers the door, delivering a cool nod before standing back to let me in. We never have much to say to each other. Still, he’s given my best friend the happily ever after of her dreams and for that I’m grateful. Gage is a good guy, even if he doesn’t allow many people to see that.
“She’s upstairs with Cecile,” he says. Standing at the base of the grand staircase, his right hand briefly taps the end of the dark wood banister. “Go on up.”
“Thanks.” I don’t stare when he taps the banister again. I’m used to the sight of him working out his OCD compulsions. Dani has admitted that he stifles the urges when he needs to. I suppose I’m glad that he feels comfortable enough around me not to bother.
I’m less than halfway up the stairs when he says, “Micah’s coming home.”
I freeze. “Next week, right?”
“Nope. Cecile’s not doing great so he’s scrapping the rest of his tour and driving back tonight. He should be here by morning.”
I turn my head and look down at Gage Silvestro watching me with a little bit of curiosity. And maybe some amusement.
My hand flies up to touch a sapphire earring. I’ve worn them every day since Micah sent them. The desire to feel his touch is so overpowering I nearly sink to my knees right here on the stairs.
“Thanks for telling me.”
He doesn’t quite smile, but his mouth twitches like he’s on the verge. “Sure.”
Micah’s coming home.
Elation wars with anxiety as I climb the remaining stairs. The boy who was once my enemy now keeps my heart in his pocket and he doesn’t know.
Total barks from Cecile’s room. Dani lounges on the bed with Cecile as the puppy bounces on the mattress, wagging his tail.
I feel like I’m interrupting, however Dani springs from the bed and seizes me in a hug. She gives the warmest hugs.
“Come sit with us.” She flops back on the huge bed and scoops Total into the crook of her arm. Dani pats an empty spot atop the fluffy red comforter but I pull up a chair instead.
Cecile’s dark glasses are in place. She can see nothing behind them but I feel her scrutiny just the same. “Tess, you haven’t been here in weeks. Why?”
