“Hello Margot,” I say, so Chrys knows exactly who she is.
She’s far enough back that we can get out of the lift, but it’s clear we are not getting any further.
“She’s not allowed in here,” Margot says with that zurgle-like smile I’ve grown too accustomed to.
She’s teasing, but it’s a game she’s going to force me to play.
“She’s allowed down here, or you wouldn’t have already told me I could bring her along.” No one breaks Margot’s rules unless they never want to come back. “Margot, this is Chrys.”
I squeeze her hand so she knows I’m not going to let go. “Chrys, Margot.”
“We’ve met,” Margot says, smiling at her and thoughts of a marketing piece for the Agency flit through my head. “But it’s very nice to do so in person.”
“Likewise.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you.” She looks Chrys up and down, mentally cataloging measurements, her thoughts lingering on the makeup she knows hides her bruise.
If it wasn’t what she did to everyone, it might irritate me.
“Only good things, I hope,” Chrys says, shifting a little closer to me.
“Mostly.” Margot smiles again.
“Her sense of humor makes most of us uncomfortable,” I tell Chrys.
“What a horrible thing to say.” Laughing, Margot hops up on the desk. “But it’s true.”
Squeezing Chrys’ hand, I smile when she decides I would take her home without question if she asked.
I would.
But she doesn’t want me to miss my appointment, either.
“Is Hannah here?”
“Yeah.” Margot narrows her eyes at me and I hear the question before she asks it. “I think she just finished up with someone. Why?”
“Hazard doesn’t know about Chrys yet… I think it’ll be best if he hears it from Hannah.” They like to share secrets, and if she tells him, there’s no chance anyone else will hear about it from him.
“I don’t have any idea what that means… but she was already coming down, so that will happen whether any of us want it to or not.”
“Good.” I look down at Chrys and wait, watching her eyes. She smiles at me.
I know what you’re doing. Silly boy. I’ll be okay. As long as you promise she isn’t going to eat me or something.
Laughing, I pull her hand up so I can kiss her palm. “You’re safe with her, or I wouldn’t let her anywhere near you.”
Margot raises her brows, but I ignore her.
Have fun isn’t the right sentiment.“I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes you will.” I whisper before I release her hand reluctantly and leave her with Margot.
I wasn’t lying. There’s probably no one in this city I would trust her with more than Margot.
My therapist’s office is through a pair of double doors, down the hall, and three doors past the statue of a very phallic-looking rocket ship.
I knock before I step inside, and Tania greets me from behind her desk while rubbing at her temples.
