We toss out a few options, but none of them feel right. Until she tosses out ‘Rose.’
“That’s it! Jasmine and Summer.”
“Two? Why those?”
“Two people, Emma. Both are into illegal things. At least, I’m pretty sure Summer is, but I haven’t figured out what she does yet, and she hasn’t told me. Summer can be ‘get me out of this situation,’ because she’s local. And Jasmine can be ‘scorched earth, I’m disappearing, and I’ll reach out as soon as I’m safe.’ Do those work?”
“What if they’re there? Won’t that be confusing?”
I think for a second, remembering my fake conversations with the guys before the engagement party. “How about, ‘Did you hear what Summer said about Katie?’ or the same thing with Jasmine?”
“Who’s Katie?”
“Nobody, but there’s always a Katie, Kate, or Katheryn around, isn’t there?”
She huffs out a laugh. “You’re not wrong. Okay. We have our own SOS phrases. I feel sneaky and criminal now. Thanks.”
I reach for the last of the popcorn, and my head spins, reminding me that while I’ve been doing better with the eating thing, I’m still not back to normal. “And I feel like I’m already drunk.”
“One more shot, then we’re watching a movie. I’m taking advantage of my best friend time—it sounds like things are going to get complicated going forward.”
“Yeah. Yeah, they are.”
Chapter 20
Jansen
My phone rings before noon, and I consider ignoring it. I only fell asleep a few hours ago.
But maybe trying to get on a more normal schedule would keep the itch under my skin from turning into a smoldering fire.
Who knows?
Seeing it’s Evie, I answer, “Hey.”
“Hi, Monster. Are you home?”
“Yeah. You already on the road?”
“I have sound check and want to get settled in. But I have a problem.”
“That I can help with?”
There’s a rustling on the other end. “Hopefully. Are any of your roommates allergic to cats?”
“Not that I know of. Did you find a stray or something?”
She chuckles. “Worse. You know how Mom’s new cat Prince Fluffington likes to curl up in bags?”
“Did you steal one of Mom’s cats?”
“Not on purpose! I closed the bag, but apparently not all the way and he made himself at home in there. He didn’t even announce his presence until ten minutes ago, and it’ll take too long to go home and drop him off. And James is allergic, so I can’t bring him to his place.”
“You sound like me, right now, Evie.”
“Don’t insult me, little brother. I know all your secrets. I can embarrass you in front of your new girl without breaking a sweat.”
“You know I can’t keep secrets. She already knows the best stuff.”
