Page 34 of Bad Influence
“Eve thinks he’s a serial killer,” Lilith says.
I snort-laugh at that.
Lilith gives me a knowing look. “Eve reads and watches a lot of true crime and apparently Killian meets the profile of a serial killer.”
“Aren’t serial killers supposed to be charming to lure in their victims?” I raise an eyebrow.
Lilith tosses her head back with a laugh so loud some people turn to look at us. I love that she doesn’t care or hesitate. That she’s confident in her existence.
“I guess in his case, being unfairly good looking does the job,” she says.
I don’t know why, but I blush. I’m pretty sure Lilith catches it before I look away, if her smirk is any indication. Killianisunfairly good looking, to the point where it’s hard to be around him. It doesn’t help that whatever I feel for him has always been complicated.
I mean, I was engaged to his brother. That alone makes everything so much more complicated.
“This is the closest bodega,” Lilith says. “Inez, the owner, is really nice and we usually come here about twice a week. Her sandwiches are to die for, and I’m not being facetious.”
I look at the shop, memorizing its name, and then look back the way we’ve come. I think we’re on the opposite side of Black Ember Ink.
There’s a middle-aged woman behind the counter and Lilith waves to her as we go about our way. I pull my jacket a little tighter around me, hitching up my bag as we continue walking. As we move towards mid-May, the days are getting hotter but it cools down significantly as evening approaches.
“Are you from New York?” I ask Lilith.
She nods. “Originally from Staten Island, but I got out as soon as I turned eighteen. I can proudly say I’ve lived in all five boroughs.” She turns to me. “You’re a lawyer, right?”
I’m surprised she knows. “Yeah. I mean, I was? I don’t have a job right now.”
“Do you want one?” Lilith asks.
“Are you in legal trouble?” I glance at her in question. I feel a flicker of excitement at the thought, which is quickly dimmed when Lilith laughs and shakes her head in the negative.
“No, but I know a lawyer if you’re interested in a job,” Lilith says. “I don’t even know if you're planning on staying or not. Just something to think about.”
Did she just casually suggest I can be her nepo friend if I’m planning on staying long enough to need a job? I feel a sudden burst of warmth and gratitude. She doesn’t know me, but she’s offered to help more than my own family ever would have.
On our way back from the store, Lilith stops by a florist and buys a bunch of roses for Eve because she loves them. From what I’ve seen since I’ve been here, these two are relationship goals. I know every relationship has its problems, but I get the feeling Eve and Lilith are the kind of couple who actually talk things out.
I get a bunch of peonies. They’ll add a nice pop of color to the apartment. For an artist, Killian’s apartment is surprisingly monotonous in color. The flowers will add some character and life.
“Good luck with dinner,” Lilith says, as she steps out of the elevator on her floor.
“Thank you for coming with me,” I say.
“Call me anytime you need help. I’m usually always around,” she says, just as the door closes.
Back on our floor, I unlock the apartment door and step inside. The first thing I do is remove my shoes and tuck them away. I turn to walk farther into the apartment and take a startled step back when I see Killian standing there, his arms crossed, a furious expression on his face.
“Oh my God, you scared me! Why are you just standing there?” I ask.
“Where the hell have you been?”
“I went to the store,” I reply. I step around him and into thekitchen, putting my grocery bag on the counter. “I left a note. Didn’t you see it?”
The note isn’t where I left it, so I assume either he has it or it flew away into the nonexistent breeze.
“A note isn’t helpful when I don’t know where you’re going,” Killian says. His eyes are shooting daggers at me as he watches me move around the kitchen and put everything in the fridge.
I open the cupboards, searching for a vase, and finally find one under the sink. Filling it halfway with water I put the flowers in it and set the vase in the middle of the dining table.
