Page 54 of Bad Influence
“This man isin tears when I confront him,” Christina says, in her soft Jersey accent. “I’ve never in my life seen a grown man cry like that.”
“What did you do?” I ask, leaning over the counter.
We’re the only ones at the front of Black Ember Ink right now. Eve’s next client hasn’t arrived yet and both her and Killian are in with their current clients. Christina, who’s waiting for Killian, is telling me all about her cheating ex-boyfriend. We met last week when she came in to confirm her appointment time and today, she’s even brought me a coffee.
“What could I do?” She tosses back her black hair. “I felt sorry for the poor man so I listened to him. Maybe I’m not wired correctly but all I wanted to do was laugh watching him cry.”
I giggle. “Why didn’t you kick him out?”
“He was crying. It was awkward,” she says, laughing.
“I’m impressed. I’ve never made a grown man cry before,” I say.
“Oh, you should! It’s kind of fun until they ruin your favorite hand towel with tears.”
I laugh again. I enjoy being at the front desk of Black EmberInk. I’ve met more interesting people here than I have my whole life.
Briefly, I wonder if I should tell Christina that I have stabbed a grown man before. But that’s not something you tell a complete stranger.
Christina starts to tell me about her dog, showing me pictures on her phone. He’s so fluffy and cute, I wonder if I should get one. I’ve always wanted a pet but the one thing my mother wouldn’t allow was a dirty animal in her house. Of course, that rule didn’t apply when that animal was Beckett.
While Christina is in with Killian, I take the opportunity to step out and call Gerry.
“Darling, I thought you’d completely forgotten me,” she answers.
“As if I can ever forget you,” I say with a laugh.
“It’s good to hear you laugh,” she says. “It’s not a sound I’ve heard often.”
I haven’t had any occasion to laugh before. I wonder if she knows how different her grandsons are from each other. Not just their careers, but also the way they are with people. Killian isn’t a people person. He doesn’t talk much, but he observes everything. And if it were Beckett, he would judge every single thing. He values people’s appearance more than what’s in their heart and mind.
“I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to call until now,” I say.
“There’s no need to apologize. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing well. Killian’s been showing me around.”
Gerry hums thoughtfully. “The two of you are not fighting anymore?”
“We were never fighting,” I say. “We were just a little surprised by your scheme.”
“It was hardly a scheme. I simply knew that one or both of you would need the apartment so I gave it to both of you.”
“And neglected to tell us,” I remind her.
“Sometimes the best things in life come through surprises,” she says wisely.
I can’t deny that her surprise kind of worked out. I don’t know what’s happening, but I feel like Killian and I are on our own journey. He’s just happy letting me be whoever I want to be and that’s not an experience I’ve ever had before.
“How’s everything there?” I ask.
“Oh, you know,” she lightly brushes it off. “They’re still wondering where you are. There’s talk of a possible lawsuit.”
“For what?” I ask in surprise.
“You broke your promise to marry Beckett and humiliated him and the family. So now they want to sue you.”
“Did Beckett forget that he cheated on me?” I ask in outrage. If anyone should be suing, it should be me. He broke his promise first. But that’s just like Beckett, isn’t it? He only focuses on what’s been done wrong to him rather than all the wrong he’s done to other people.
