Page 18 of Bad Influence
“I guess this makes us even,” he says, his eyes holding mine for a long moment before disappearing inside the room.
I’m confused by his words as I make my way towards the stairs. What makes us even? My cheeks flush as realization hits me all at once. He means that we’re even because now we’ve both seen each other naked in a towel.
Downstairs, Eve and Lilith are exactly where I left them.
“Killian will be down in a minute. He’s just getting dressed,” I say. “Do you want coffee?”
Killian has the same fancy espresso maker I used at home so I at least know how to work it. But should I be offering them coffee? This isn’t my apartment and Killian clearly doesn’t want them here.
“Sure, yes, coffee sounds good,” Lilith says. She’s wearing a light black and grey flannel, her hair buzzed close to her head. There’s a small piercing sparkling in her nose, but unlike Eve, there aren’t any tattoos on her that I can see.
I find a pan to lightly roast the beans before grinding them.
“How do you know Killian?” Eve asks.
“Our parents are friends and own a law firm together,” I explain.
I don’t know how much they know about Killian and if they’ll be able to guess that I was engaged to his brother. I haven’t checked my phone this morning but I’m sure I’ve got plenty of missed calls and texts.
I’ll have to eventually call them back and tell them I’m not going to marry Beckett. I’d rather spend the rest of my life alone than marry him.
“Do you want milk or cream?” I ask.
I turn to the fridge and frown when I see my wedding card stuck to it. Why does he have my wedding card displayed on the fridge? Who does that?
“I’ll take a little bit of creamer, if you have it,” Eve says.
I open the fridge and find a hazelnut creamer which Eve confirms is fine for her.
“How long are you here for?” Lilith asks.
“I’m not sure yet,” I say.
“Do you have plans while you’re here?” Eve asks.
“None at all. This was a last minute trip.”
“Great, then you should come to our party,” Eve says.
I breathe in the scent of freshly brewed coffee as I finish making it and pass two cups to Eve and Lilith. I set one aside for Killian, assuming he’s going to want one and keep one for myself. I turn to Eve and see her adding a splash of creamer to her coffee.
“I don’t think Killian will like that,” I say.
“I won’t like what?” Killian is coming down the stairs, now dressed in black jeans and a black t-shirt, the sleeves of which stretch over his biceps in a distracting way.
“We’re having a small party the Friday after next and we’re inviting…” Eve pauses, turning to look at me in question, “I’m sorry, I didn’t even ask your name.”
“Caroline,” I tell her.
Satisfied, Eve turns back to Killian. “We were inviting Caroline to attend and she’s worried you wouldn’t want her to come, but she doesn’t know that you won’t be there so it doesn’t matter.”
“I don’t think she’s going to be here long enough to attend,” Killian says. He reaches for the coffee cup I put aside for him,but I grab it before he can. Holding his gaze, as he watches, I slowly pour the coffee from his cup into mine.
Never mind that this much coffee isn’t going to leave my system any time soon and will keep me up late into the night. He doesn’t deserve to drink the coffee I made after making those kinds of comments. Killian grinds his jaw, mouth set into a line.
I turn to Eve and Lilith, who are watching us with a mixture of confusion, amusement, and curiosity.
“I’d love to attend, thank you for the invitation.”
