Page 43 of Reckless
Or we could go out.“Kelly-”
“No.We are not having a second conversation now.”
“We could get drinks.,” I said.
She pointed toward my car.“Leave before I revoke my agreement and make us both suffer.”
That sounded like her.
I inclined my head once and stepped back.“Tomorrow.I’ll text the location.”
She glanced at me and I remembered she was the one with the plan.Then she turned and walked back toward the front path without another word.
I should have left first.
Instead I stood there one beat too long again, watching the swing of her hips.She was beautiful and I should have been smart enough to factor in sooner.
By the time I reached my car, my phone was already buzzing.
Roman.I answered through the speakers and pulled away from the curb.
“Well?”
I looked once in the rearview mirror.Kelly had not come back outside.
“She’ll probably have lunch with maman.But first we talk more.”
Roman was silent for exactly one second.“That feels like a terrible idea.”
“Why?”
I took the main road out of the development, the late sun flashing gold off parked cars and windows.“Maman should have negotiated more of a discount with the jewelers.”
“Don’t stress about my life,” I said.
Roman’s laugh was quiet and entirely without mercy.“You and Adrian are all that’s left for her now and Adrian is graduating college so you’re it.”
I ended the call before he could say anything else.
Then I called my mother.She answered on the first ring.“Xerses joon.”
“Stop texting Kelly directly until after the weekend.”
Silence.
Then, soft delight from the bridge.“Oh?Trouble in paradise?”
I smiled despite myself and hated that too.
“Friday,” I said.“She’ll be there Friday.”
My mother’s satisfaction glowed through the line like sunlight through glass.“Good.And for all my parties and events.”
She had something planned.I didn’t want to know.I disconnected anyway.
It had to be temporary with Kelly.She wanted to kill me.
Five
