Page 61 of Shame the Devil

“Wow,” Jennifer said. “I mean, it’s not like I didn’t know rich people get treated better, but I didn’t think you could bleed all over somebody’s best suite and have them apologize toyou.And give you wine. Does this happen to you all the time?”

“Nope,” Harlan said. “But only because I’m better behaved than you.” And this time,shelaughed.

The doctor said, “I’m giving you an antibiotic shot as well, just in case.”

“Why not?” Jennifer said. “He’s paying. Notice how I’ve given up caring about that,” she told Harlan. “I have surrendered to my fate.”

The doctor smiled, then said, “I can get some crutches sent around first thing in the morning. It could be tricky to hobble on this thing for the next day or so.”

Harlan said, “Nope. I’ve got this.”

Jennifer said, “How, exactly, this time? I can’t wait to hear this one.”

“I’m carrying you,” he said. “Of course I am. What, you’re using crutches in the snow? No.”

“I’m heavy,” she said.

“Maybe,” he said, “but I’m strong.”

Dyma said, “Oh, man. You’re not supposed toagreewith her! What are you, clueless? She’s sensitive about her weight.”

Harlan, though, was laughing. “Nah. Excuse to grope.”

“I need the crutches,” Jennifer told the doctor. “For after I go home.”

Harlan didn’t object to that, because how could he? “Bill through the hotel?” he asked the doctor instead.

“That’s how it works,” the doctor said, and started packing up. “Take care of yourself, young lady, and stay off that foot as much as you can. The internal stitches will dissolve on their own, and the outer layers are glued, but if you have any problems after you get home, be sure to give your own doctor a call.” After that, he stripped off his gloves and melted away only slightly less discreetly than the manager.

Which left Dyma and Owen, piles of towels nobody was going to want to use ever again, and a whole, whole lot of blood. Footprint-sized patches between the couch and the door, not to mention between the couch and the bathroom. And then therewasthe bathroom, which looked like a crime scene. And Harlan, who looked like he’d lost a fight, and was sitting down on the arm of the couch and asking, “Is this day over yet?” Then taking her hand, leaning down, kissing her forehead, and saying, “You did good. That was nasty. All right?”

“No,” Dyma said.“Notall right.Tellme. I go for a swim and dinner, assuming that my loving mother, who has trouble staying in this decade—in thismillennium—will be sitting in here worrying about my safety like she always does, and instead, you’ve got thecopshere. And adoctor.Andblood.I thoughtIwas being modern talking about my blood. This isseriousblood.”

Harlan said, “Don’t go in your mom’s bathroom, then.”

“Exactly why?” Dyma asked. “And explain the cops.”

Jennifer said, “Maybe you’re not the only one with an exciting life.”

“Mom,” Dyma said. “I amsothe only one with an exciting life.”

“I’m trying to think up a good story,” Jennifer said, “but the truth is, I broke my wine glass in the bathroom and stepped on the broken glass. That’s the whole story. The cops came because …” She waved a hand, then asked Harlan, “Are there any more wine glasses? Because there’s still that first bottle left, plus whatever’s in the bag.”

He eyed her and said, “How about a glass of water? At least until you get some food?”

“You’re no fun,” she said. “Anyway, the cops came because of the blood. They interrogated Harlan in your bedroom, I’m guessing, Dyma. As the suspect in my assault. To be fair, heiscovered in blood. I thought they were going to take him down right at the door. One of them had his hand on his gun.”

“You’re kidding,” Dyma said. “Because you cut yourfoot?”

Harlan came back with her glass of water, and she struggled up to sit, attempted without much success to keep her robe closed around her, contemplated how many men she’d flashed tonight after a lifetime of flashing exactly none, and said, “So. If we’re having a party … does anybody else want wine?”

26

New Rules

Jennifer wasn’ton the couch anymore. She was on his bed.

Dyma had packed the two of them up, after the front-desk clerk had apologized over the phone that, “We only had one open room, but it has two beds. I hope that’s acceptable.”