“Of course not!” I quickly interject. The more I try to make this situation better, the worse it gets. “But there is something at the show I really want her to see. Please. Ask her to come.”
“I’ll relay the message, but don’t expect her to show up.” She wrinkles her nose in distaste. “She won’t, if she follows my advice.”
“Thank you.” I nod. “That’s all I ask.”
“If I email you the questions, maybe you can send me your responses for the column?” Calder suggests.
“Good idea,” Nash agrees, already pacing for the door, his tools jangling. He’s not the only one who can’t get out of here soon enough. “Let me know if you have any more problems with the radiator.”
I stand up to follow. I know when I’m not wanted.
“Thank you for seeing me.” I pause. “And Kady? I am truly sorry. I know you don’t believe me—I wouldn’t if I were you—but I really do care about Delilah. Thank you for being there for her when I wasn’t.”
“You don’t need to thank me for being there for my friend. We’re Stella sisters. We stick together.” Her lips flatten into a thin line, turning away to type furiously on her computer.
“I’ll see you out.” Calder joins us. When we reach the exit, he drops his voice. “Look, I’ll never condone what you did, but if Delilah is really your scent match, the only way the two of you will be happy is if you’re together.” He sighs heavily. “Stella House omegas can be hard work.” His eyes glitter when he looks back over his shoulder at Kady, whose typing is so loud that it’s a wonder she doesn’t punch holes straight through the keys. “But so worth it.”
“You’re lucky.” I attempt a small smile. “Don’t fuck it up like I did. Cling onto it.”
“I intend to.”
“Calder!” Kady calls out impatiently. “Have you seen Devon’s latest column? I’m sure my edits were on your desk.”
“Good luck,” Calder whispers before closing the door.
“Well, we made it out of there alive.” Nash shudders as we walk down the stairs. “Barely.”
“Do you think there’s any chance of her coming to the show now?” I ask as we head down the rickety stairs, hit by the smell of delicious Chinese food that has me salivating.
Nash shrugs. “Not if Kady has anything to do with it.”
He may be right, but I can’t give up hope.
I have something special planned for the show. Something to show her how sorry I am and hopefully, help make things right. Now I just have to pray that she shows up.
SIXTEEN
Delilah
Downstairs, I find Kady and Sabs talking in hushed tones by the breakfast bar.
“What is it?”
They can’t hide anything from me with guilty expressions like that. Kady looks like she’s trying to pick her words carefully while Sabs blurts, “Kady saw Jagger!”
“What?” I lose my footing, almost squashing Larry’s tail as he dashes past. “Y-y-you saw him?”
“He came toThe Valley Voicefor an interview this morning.” From her disgruntled tone, I can tell she’s unimpressed. “Calder thought he was hiding it from me, but he put their meeting in our shared calendar.”
“Did he…?” I play with the edge of my dress. “Did he mention me?”
She sighs heavily. “Yes, he did.” She puts a palm to her forehead. “He wanted me to pass on a message. I told him I would—after reminding him how much of an asshole he’s been, of course.”
My heart thuds against my ribs. “W-what did he say?”
“He wants you to come to his show. Apparently, there’s something he wants you to see there.” She rolls her eyes. “Whatever that means.”
“I still vote on burning the tickets,” Sabs says. “Maybe we should say some cleansing ritual words or something first?”
