She flapped a hand. “I’m over it if you are.” That was one of the things I loved about Liz, she didn’t hold a grudge.
I didn’t, either. At least I tried not to. “I’m over it.” To show that I harbored no hard feelings, I added, “And I hope you and David are very happy living together.” I meant it, too. Although, now that I had a paying job, I could afford to be a bit more magnanimous about my living situation.
“Thanks, we’re excited!” she said breezily. “So, tell meeverything. Did you meet Robert through your new PA job? Normally, I’d say you shouldn’t dip your pen in company ink, but for him I’d make an execution. He’sgorgeous, like model hot,” she said, fanning her face. “He should be on a beach holding up a bottle of cologne I have no idea how to pronounce.”
I opened my mouth, dying to engage in some girly gossip with my bestie, but then snapped it closed. As much I wanted to spill everything, I was bound to secrecy. Blabbing could get me—and Liz—killed.
Still, I knew how she was. I had to give hersomething, because she’d never let up. Unfortunately, she had an excellent bullshit detector. It could get tricky, answering Liz’s questions without lyingortelling the complete truth. Now I knew how it must feel being a politician.
“He’s just somebody I met.”Truth.
“Uh, no. ‘Just somebody I met’ is some random dude from the gym. This isRobert freakin’ Bramson. EvenI’veheard the name, and you know how bad I am with celebrities.” Liz wouldn’t be able to list five current movie stars, though she could probably name every horror author who’d ever lived. Her shelves were crammed with works by H.P. Lovecraft, Anne Rice, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Mary Shelley, to name only a few. It was her favorite genre.
“I wouldn’t call him a celebrity, Liz.”
“Whatever. You know what I mean. Did you sleep with him? Please tell me you slept with that hot-ass man.”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t like that.”Truth.“He was a perfect gentleman.” So perfect, in fact, that I’d only gotten a chaste peck on my cheek at the end of the night. Which, admittedly, was disappointing. I wouldn’t have slept with him, tempting as it may have been, but I wouldn’t have minded a little tongue action. I had no doubt Robert was an amazing kisser. Maybe one day he’d even prove it to me.
Liz jabbed a finger at the photo. “Whose dress is that? It looks like a Seraphim Blythe, whichI knowit isn’t. It would have cost, like, five grand or something!” she nattered breathlessly. Try nineteen thousand, Liz. “But it’s a great knockoff. You wench! Have you been holding out on me in the wardrobe department?”
“We met through a mutual acquaintance.”Truth.“The dress . . . was a loaner from a friend.”Truth and lie.The gown was technically loaned to me, yes, but Marlena was no friend of mine.
“Are you going to see him again?”
“I don’t know, but I hope so. Our date ended abruptly, and we didn’t have a chance to discuss going on another date.”Truth with omission.Robert and I had talked straight through the night, and time had gotten away from us. Carl had come in and reminded Robert that, if we didn’t leave Locomotive before the sun came up, Robert would combust.
“Why don’t you want anyone to know about the date?”
“It’s complicated.”Truth.
“I bet it’s because of him being a zillionaire and all,” she said knowingly. “Probably some ridiculous HR policy he has to follow to protect his business. Or himself, in case you go crazy on him, right?”
I smiled but made no comment.Lie by omission.
“Why were the two of you at—where is that—Locomotive? Couldn’t he spring for steak and caviar or whatever rich guys like him eat?”
I was at a loss on that one. “Um . . . we—”
Saved by the bell, my phone rang. Guess I’d forgotten to put it on vibrate again. For once, that was a good thing. I broke out in a sweat when I saw that it was Dignitary on the caller ID. My face must have revealed something unpleasant, because Liz backed out of the room without pestering me to tell her who it was, a first for her. She even shut the door as she left.
I tried to sound perky as I answered. “Hello! This is Olivia.”
“Olivia, it’s Marlena.” The vampire’s voice was sharp enough to cut diamonds. “Michael is on the line, too.”
“Michael! Marlena! I’m surprised you two aren’t sleeping,” I prattled nervously. Stalling.
“No,” Marlena said.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I saidno. No, we willnotbe engaging in idle small talk this morning. This is not a social call, but I imagine you already know that.”
I gulped. “Of course.”
“Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?” she said coolly.
“We saw the newspaper.” Michael sounded embarrassed on behalf of Marlena’s rudeness.
