All too often, I found myself grinding my teeth around her. "Fine. But if you change your mind later, I expect you to tell me instead of drowning in responsibility. You know, since you're not a hypocrite."
"The only advantage I indulge in is your chef, and that's because I spent my teenage years and beyond in the kitchen for my ungrateful parents. Despite your sister's harping, I haven't even indulged in another shopping spree to update my wardrobe to clothing more acceptable for the wife of someone with your prestige." I almost smiled at Kinsley's perfect imitation of Anna's voice. "I accepted the new furniture for me and for the nursery, and that's the end of it. Burke, I'm not a trophy wife. I'll not sit by twiddling my thumbs while you sleep with half the population of Boston, only to be trotted out at dinner parties. I don't even know how to run in your circle of friends since you keep me hidden away like a shameful secret."
There was nothing complimentary in the way she spoke of me or, for that matter, in the way Anna described me. "I don't expect you to be a trophy wife, and the only friends I have are in this house every day."
Raising a brow, she contemplated that. "They're a hell of a lot nicer than you are."
"That's because I pay them well. Do you have nothing else to do but insult me?"
"Come to think of it, I was in the middle of a good book, but you're the one who dragged me down here." With effort, she pushed up on the arms of the chair to stand.
I came quickly around the desk to help her. "Would you tell me if you felt any pain?"
"You mean in my ass?" When I merely stared at her, she clarified. "You. You're a pain in my ass."
"Fuck's sake, woman." Once she stood on her own, I let go of her arm while trying to maintain a straight face. "Will you promise to tell me if you're in any type of labor pain?"
"Yes, I promise. The last thing I want is to give birth in this mausoleum you call home."
I let out an exaggerated sigh. "Go back upstairs before I do something rash."
"Like smack me? Isn't that what all good mob husbands do to their wives?"
"Go!"
Once Kinsley was completely out of earshot, I let out the laughter I'd tried to hold in. Her view of me was disconcerting, but her sense of humor remained intact.
17
Kinsley
Daisy was due to arrive soon, and I couldn't contain my excitement. There were so many changes since we last saw one another, and I knew it would be interesting. I hoped it wouldn't also be awkward since I hadn't confided in Daisy what was going on with Burke at the time. I’d kept him as my dirty little secret, and I was afraid that was about to backfire.
In the living room, I sat close to the front door, waiting for the security detail to announce Daisy's arrival. Burke had put her through a full background check, her parents too, and then he said she'd be patted down and escorted personally from the airport. I couldn't wait to hear Daisy's opinion of all the extra nonsense that went into her visit.
At some silent communication, Noah finally moved to open the door, and I pushed myself to a standing position. Out of breath by the time I was upright, I nonetheless made my way to the open door to watch Daisy step out of the limo when it pulled up to the front of the house.
"Kinsley!" Daisy hurried to meet me before I was forced to descend the steps. "What a production just to come and visit. So freaking crazy."
Grinning broadly, I said, "Daisy, it's so good to see you."
While we hugged, Noah assisted the driver in retrieving the bags from the trunk. Daisy would stay in a room across the hall from mine; I'd finally taken advantage of the maid when she came, asking her to clean that room especially for my friend. I wouldn't have had the energy to do it myself, though making sure it was comfortably appointed gave me something to do to break up the monotony of my days.
"My God, look at you." Daisy stood back to look me over from head to toe. "This is a drastic change from nine months ago."
I nodded. "The amount of time it takes to grow an entire human."
Daisy laughed and followed me to the living room.
As we sat together on the couch, Daisy looked around. "Tell me what you've been up to, other than the obvious?"
"It's been crazy. I moved to Bristol with some old friends, and then I came here."
"There's so much more to it than that," Daisy said with an arched brow. "This place is enormous, and more than a little old-fashioned."
"Well, yes." I felt the baby kick and grabbed Daisy's hand. "Here, feel this."
Her eyes grew wide. "That's a trip."
