Page 15 of Bad Influence
Her answer makes me curious. She’s getting married in a couple of months. Shouldn’t she be busy with last minute wedding prep instead of being in New York indefinitely?
“You’ll go back in time for the wedding?” I ask.
Her eyes shift to the fridge and I suspect she’s looking at her wedding card. But she doesn’t answer me.
“Do you have something to drink? The flight completely dehydrated me.”
I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and pass it to her. She must have been thirsty because she finishes half the bottle in one gulp.
“Do you want a snack?” I try to remember if I have anything she can snack on other than protein bars.
“Would you really have carried me up here?” Caroline asks.
I shrug. “Yeah. Why would I say it if I didn’t mean it?”
It’s gotten dark outside now, the only light on in the apartment is the one above the kitchen island. The windows provide plenty of light from outside and across the East River, Manhattan is glowing. I leave my spot in the kitchen to turn on the lamps to give some extra lighting and also give myself space.
“Then why did you kick me out?”
“What would you do if you came home one day and found a random person in your home?” I turn to her, seeing her bathed in the warm light of the room. She looks comfortable, but at the same time like she doesn’t belong here. Like a mirage that is going to disappear as soon as I blink.
“I’m not a random person!” She exclaims. “You literally wentto school with my brother. Our families own a law firm together.”
Funny how she doesn’t mention she’s engaged to my brother. When you think about it, that’s the biggest reason we’re connected. I’m going to be herbrother-in-law. The thought is so vile I look away before she can see it on my face.
“Why are we blaming each other when the real culprit is Gran?” I say. “She’s the one who gave this apartment to both of us and neglected to tell either one.”
“Fine, we can call her tomorrow and find out,” Caroline agrees.
I’m pretty sure I already know what her answer is going to be. She’s never made it a secret that Caroline is her favorite, even more than me and Beckett. It’s not something which has ever bothered me. Caroline’s grandparents live in Georgia, so she always saw Gran as her own grandmother.
With nothing to say, we fall into an awkward silence.
Caroline turns to look out the window and I catch myself watching her profile, her slender neck, the arch of her chin, her small nose. What is about this woman that makes me behave so unlike myself? My life was a linear line until she showed up here unexpectedly and threw me into chaos. I can’t quantify her presence in my apartment and I can’t figure out my emotions.
“I can feel you staring,” Caroline says.
“I’m just trying to figure out what you’re doing here,” I say.
She turns her head to look at me. “You cancelled my ride and grabbed my luggage, dragging me back here. Unless you mean why I’m here in the universe, and honestly, I don’t have the answer for that one.”
“I wasn’t being quite so existential,” I explain. “And I didn’t mean here in the apartment. I meant, what are you doing in New York?”
This time, she’s saved from answering when the intercom buzzes, announcing the arrival of our dinner.
I accept the food and put the bags on the table. Caroline joins me on the couch and I hand her the remote for the TV. I don’t broach the subject of her being here again and she doesn’t talk either. Instead, we let the sounds of the TV fill the silence between us.
CHAPTER 7
Caroline
I should have leftwhen I had the chance.
I’m lying awake, staring at the ceiling of my room and the only thing I can think is, I should have left. I’m acutely aware of Killian somewhere on the other side of the door. Every sound makes me think he’s right outside, which is insane because why would he be outside my door?
I turn over in bed, pulling the duvet up over my head. I can’t deny that it’s a new space and that makes it harder to sleep. I also can’t stop thinking about my family.
I feel a prickle of guilt when I think about the fact that I brought the drama right to Killian’s doorstep. Then I feel angry because Gerry should have never told me to come here. I understand she wants the best for me, but how long can Killian and I live under the same roof?
