‘They thrive on power, on control, on keeping up the appearance of being important. More important than everyone else. It’s trivial and pointless. In my opinion. At the end of the day, people don’t really respect them. They concede to them, to keep the peace. Sometimes they even fear them. But it doesn’t make them anymoreof a person than anyone else.’
‘Interesting take.’
‘Thanks. I’ve always been interested in the human psyche. Figuring out what makes people tick.’
She lifted her chin, her eyes a challenge. ‘Figured me out yet?’
‘I’m working on it,’ I said gently.
The earnestness in my voice made her smile slip, just for a second. I watched as she swallowed.
‘Well good luck with that,’ she said. ‘I’m still trying to figure it out myself.’
‘What is with you and Celia, anyway?’ I asked. She looked sad and vulnerable, and it made me want to step forward and wrap my arms around her like I had at the top of the cliff, but I didn’t have the adrenaline excuse this time, and I wasn’t sure if she’d welcome it. ‘I mean, I understand the whole mother-in-law cliché, but is that all it is?’
‘Let’s just say, as far as she was concerned, I was never good enough for her precious son, and she made damn sure I never forgot that.’
I pulled a face. ‘That can’t have been an easy family dynamic to be a part of.’
‘I wouldn’t exactly call Celiafamily. She’s never felt like that to me, and I’m pretty sure she feels the same way.’
‘Well, it’s good that she’ll be out of your life soon. In that regard.’
She smiled again, and it was like the sun had come through the clouds. ‘That day can’t come quick enough.’
‘So…’ I stared at her hopefully. ‘Dinner?’
‘Why not. I think I can handle being in your presence for an entire meal.’
‘I’m flattered.’
‘You should be.’
‘I’ll pick you at eight?’
‘Or I could just meet you there.’
‘I want to do this properly. Humor me.’
‘I thought it wasn’t a date.’
‘It’s not.’
‘Where are we going?’
‘I happen to know this great place, good atmosphere,reallygood food. The manager’s a really cool guy, or so I’ve heard. Buff, is the word I think I’ve heard someone call him.’
‘You’re never going to let me forget about that, are you?’
I grinned at her. ‘Nope.’
21
TAYLOR
My bed was littered with a thousand rejected outfits. OK, maybe not a thousand. I hadn’t bought that many clothes with me from New York, and I certainly hadn’t brought anything I would consider date-worthy. If this was a date. What had Jack called it?
Two friends going out for a meal.
