Page 51 of A Convenient Secret

I turn off my phone, plaster a smile on my face, and enter the bistro. The air conditioning breezes a bit of sanity into me, and I regret the bratty message a bit. Maybe taking the job was the worst idea.

“Hey.” Cora waves from behind the counter where she is talking to her employee, Sanjay.

I make my way to our usual table. Cora’s bistro is quaint, and right now almost all the tables are occupied. She took over her father’s business, and has been barely keeping it afloat.

There are so many things she could implement to grow it, but I’m careful with my advice. My friends believe I moved to NYC to become an actress. I can’t blow my cover, even though I trust these women. It’s too risky.

It makes me feel like the worst person at the same time, so I took over the bistro’s social media. A little help with marketing was the least I could do. Especially after Cora gave me a job when I first arrived.

I sit in my usual place and watch the sweltering streets. This little table where I regularly meet with my three friends feels like home. As strange as it is after losing everything, I didn’t expect to feel safe. Ever. And yet, here is where I do.

“Check your phone. Celeste sent pictures.” Cora puts two cups of cappuccino down and sits beside me.

I don’t particularly want to see if Declan responded.

“My phone is dead,” I lie. “Show me.” I rub my hands in glee, banishing the thought of Declan. And failing. The man is already etched in my mind.

“What did I miss?” Saar shows up. “Isn’t my niece adorable?” She plops down across from us and waves at Sanjay, who already knows her usual order.

“She’s adorable.” I admire the wrinkled newborn.

“I know Zoya and Zach are my niece and nephew by marriage, but Amelie feels a little more mine. Is that a horrible thing to say?” Saar scrunches her nose.

“No, it’s not,” I argue. “Amelie is your brother’s and your best friend’s. As you said, Zoya and Zach came into your life as Corm’s family. It doesn’t mean you don’t love them.”

“I adore them.” She purses her lips. “In small doses.”

“They are amazing kids,” I defend them, surprised by the strong need to do so.

“Yes, they are.” Saar takes her latte from Sanjay. “You would know. You spent the entire week with them, and stabbed my brother-in-law. He had it coming probably.”

Cora snorts.

“It was an accident. Long story.” I wave my hand. “Talking about Zoya and Zach, I accepted a permanent position as their nanny.”

Both friends look at me with surprise.

“You didn’t tell me that last night,” Cora says.

“Last night?” Saar asks.

“Oh, yeah, on top of everything else, I’m homeless at the moment.”

I quickly fill Saar in.

“I didn’t know you were renting a room only. Is Declan’s nanny a live-in position?” she asks.

“No. And I did a brief search this morning and…” I sigh.

“Something will come up.” Cora pats my hand.

“Declan will help you out, I’m sure,” Saar reassures me.

He will help, and drive me crazy in the process, but I don’t share that with my friends. “He kissed me.”

For the second time today, my friends look at me with surprise. Only this time, it’s more with shock.

“Is that why you stabbed him?” Saar asks.