“Huh.” She set her tray down. “I thought you’d be prettier.”
“And I thought you’d have manners. Guess we’re both disappointed.”
She didn’t flinch. Just walked closer, heels clicking on the tile, circling me in an attempt to make me feel small. She stopped at the casserole dish, dipped her finger in the sauce, tasted it, and wrinkled her nose.
“That’s disgusting.” She wiped her finger on a paper towel. “Then again it matches the woman who made it.”
“Get your hands out of my food.”
“Or what?” Her smile turned vicious. “You’ll cry? Run to Percy? That’s what you do, right? Play the victim so three men drop everything to take care of you.”
I pulled down plates, keeping my hands busy so she wouldn’t see them shake. “That’s rich coming from a woman who bakes cookies for a man who just walked right past her.”
Cateline was unfazed and she leaned against the counter, crossing her arms under her chest, pushing her boobs up. “Percy and I have history. Real history. Not whatever this pity party for you is.”
I stacked the plates. “Let me guess. You show up here, bring treats, laugh at his jokes, touch his arm. And he smiles at you the same way he smiles at everyone.” I glanced at her. “You’re not very bright, are you? Because then you would’ve noticed how you’re just forcing yourself to a guy who is clearly not interested.”
Her voice dropped. “I can offer Percy things you can’t. Look at you. Mousy hair, bargain clothes, no personality. You’re not even his type. You’re just... convenient. A sad little project he’ll get bored of.”
That one landed. Right in the soft spot I couldn’t armor fast enough.
“And yet.” I turned to face her. “I’m the one sleeping under his roof. Eating at his table. Watching movies on his couch while he picks things he thinks I’ll enjoy.” I let every word sit. “Your name hasn’t come up once.”
Her jaw locked. She stepped into my space, close enough that I could count her eyelash extensions, and her fingers found a strand of my hair. She twirled it deliberately, her lips inches from my ear.
“You’re simply a pathetic whore,” she whispered. “A plain, desperate, attention-seeking bitch who spread herself for men because nobody else wanted her.”
I grabbed her wrist. Twisted it down and held it. My other hand found the handle of the kitchen knife on the cutting board behind me.
“Don’t. Touch. Me.”
Her eyes dropped to the knife. Went wide.
“You don’t know me.” My grip tightened on her wrist. “The next time you put your fingers on me again, I’ll remove them. Are we clear?”
She yanked her hand free and stumbled back a step.
“You’re insane!”
“No. I just don’t play nice with someone like you.” I set the knife down. “And for the record? Those cookies are peanut butter chocolate chip. Percy’s deathly allergic. Has been his whole life.” I tilted my head. “But you knew that, right? Since you two are so close?”
Her mouth opened and closed. The flush crawled up her neck and ate her composure alive.
“He never...” She swallowed. “That’s not...”
“Exactly.”
We were interrupted by a cheerful voice.
“That smells amazing!” Percy appeared in the doorway, easy grin in place.
Cateline’s entire body rearranged itself. Shoulders back, hair tossed, smile cranked to full wattage. The transformation was so fast it was almost impressive.
“Percy!” She pressed her hand to her chest, voice pitched to sugar. “I was just helping your friend find the plates. Poor thing was so lost in here.”
“Great, thanks.” Percy reached past me for the dish. His arm brushed mine and he didn’t move away as he turned to me. “I’m excited to taste your dish. Smells delicious already.”
Cateline’s smile went rigid after being ignored.
