Page 49

“Of course.” I open the door wide, catching Stephanie’s attention. She frowns as Kathleen shuffles in. Does Katie realize how submissive she looks right now? Downcast eyes. Slouched back. Hair hanging limp from her otherwise tight bun. Most people would still think she looks impeccable, but I know the difference between the usual Kathleen… and this one.

“Oh,” she says, meeting Stephanie’s gaze. “I didn’t realize you had guests.”

“You and me both,” Stephanie mutters. She puts her nail file away and crosses her arms. “Who are you?”

Kathleen is taken aback. Now, the Katie I know would start swinging her arms all over my apartment, putting this woman in her place. Except this Katie is looking at Stephanie with the saddest eyes I’ve ever seen. No, not sad. Scared.

“This is Kathleen Allen,” I say, knowing full well what spot I’ve put myself in.

Stephanie knows it immediately. Her eyes widen, staring down Kathleen as if she’s an interloper come to destroy half the clan. “That’s Kathleen.”

Katie sucks in her lips. “Yup,” she says. “I’m Kathleen. That Kathleen.”

Now we all know it, and Stephanie is looking none too pleased about it.

“I think it’s best if you leave,” I tell Stephanie. Nope. She’s not pleased.

“Me? I was here first.” Yet she’s off my couch, clutching her purse to her side and looking like she’s ready to take off at a moment’s notice. “Tell her to wait in line.”

“I’ll go.” Kathleen turns around too eagerly. Without thinking, I wrap my arm around her front, my fingers digging into her back as I tuck her safely into my embrace. She shudders.

This is the first time we’ve touched since we last had sex. So much has happened since.

“No. Stephanie was seeing herself out.”

I say it softly to Katie, but Stephanie hears a certain tone in my voice. It makes her bristle, and I know I ruined any chance of seeing her again like this.

That’s fine. Not like I knew there was another chance until she showed up tonight. Life goes on as it has before.

Except not really. Kathleen is in my arms, tiny convulses spreading into me from her wary body. I don’t know what’s going on with her, but I know this isn’t a pleasure call.

I tighten my grip on her. Both to keep her here and to reassure her that she’s safe.

“Fine.” Stephanie stops, her lips curling into a menacing smile. “See you. Farewell, Kathleen. You don’t have to worry about this one forgetting your name.”

I don’t turn to watch the door close. I hear it, and that’s enough.

“Katie.” I loosen my grip, hands going to her shoulders. I’m already taller than her – barely – but she feels so much frailer and smaller tonight. Has something happened? Is someone hurt? “What’s going on?”

A spark erupts in her eyes. Just like that, she’s looking at me, her back straightening and her forehead reaching up toward mine. There she is. That’s the Kathleen I know.

“I’m sorry about the other night. I should have told you I couldn’t make it.”

“Don’t worry about it.” My fingers graze her chin. She does not shudder nor sneer. “But I somehow doubt that’s your whole reason for coming here. You would’ve called me just for that.”

“You’re right. I came here for another reason. The real reason we have to talk.”

I gesture to my couch. Saoirse scrambles out from beneath and trots into my library. She has a bed there she likes to curl up in around this time of night.

“I didn’t know you have a cat.”

“Even I like some feline companionship.” I gently push her toward the couch and think of offering her a drink. Probably not the best idea. “What’s on your mind?”

She shrugs me off and doesn’t continue. While she doesn’t look like a girl in trouble anymore, she does look like someone in need of a kiss and a stiff drink. I offer neither. Women like Katie aren’t reassured by those things unless it’s established to go ahead. I have no such establishment.

“Ira.” Her voice is firm, unwavering. Standing before me is Kathleen Allen, untouchable in her gray pantsuit. “We need to talk about that bet.”

“It’s fine.” I haven’t thought about it that much. Especially with everything else going on. “We were drunk.”