“Where are you off to, Lila?” I check my watch and add, “At one in the morning.”
She kneels to gather up the spilled contents of her purse. “I’m leaving to go see a friend. I’ll have Kenzie call you as soon as she comes home.”
Terrific. What little progress I made with her is gone. All from one mysterious phone call.
“Was that him?” I ask, my voice laced with razors.
After jerking to her feet, she hustles into the foyer. “Him who?”
“My money is on either Silas or Elliot.”
Lila’s entire body stiffens, and her foot pauses halfway into her sandal. She gradually cranes her neck toward me, revealing a blank expression. “Who’s Elliot?”
“I’ve been asking you the same thing all night,” I toss calmly, just waiting for her to crumble under the pressure.
That’s right, Lila. I know his name.
Returning her gaze to the floor, she finishes slipping on her sandals. “Listen, Reed. I don’t know who Elliot is, but based on context, he’s the creepy guy from the casino. Makes sense you found his name. You’d make a terrible agent if you hadn’t by now.” She turns to face me, tossing her purse over her shoulder. “And no, that wasn’t him on the phone. As I’ve stated multiple times, I’veneverspoken to that man.”
“Silas, then?” I press, arching a knowing brow and slowly approaching her.
Her eyes slash to the door and back, and she licks her plump lips.
That’s a big ol’yesin nonverbal form.
“Look, I need to go. Talk later.” She yanks open the door, taking a giant step onto the porch. “Or never. That would be ideal.”
My feet propel me swiftly to the porch to trail after her. She’s marching down the sidewalk toward her car, which is at least two hundred feet from her front door. It’s a fairly large complex with clusters of apartment buildings, meandering walkways, and patches of greenery. Plenty of trees.
After locking the door for her, I double-time it to catch up. “You realize I’m just going to follow you, right?”
She fumbles to get her keys out of her bag. “Reed, you really need to get a life. I already told you that you and I are never happening again. You’re just coming off desperate and a touch pathetic.”
Rolling my eyes, I easily deflect the barb. She couldn’t be more transparent, trying to piss me off so I won’t give two shits that she’s diving headfirst into trouble.
Beating her to her car by a step, I place my hand on the door to prevent her from opening it. “Funny that you think I’dever give you another chance after what you did the last time. Besides, you know I’m only here because?—”
Her head flings back like her neck’s made of springs. “I beg your finest pardon! What the fuck did you just say to me?”
My jaw sags, and my eyes pop out of my head. I swear a tray of glasses broke somewhere in the distance.
Sweet little Lila Kent just saidfuck.
Honey-coated, cotton candy, dipped in syrup Lila Kent.
Just. Said. Fuck.
Actually, she yelled it.
At me.
I’m unsure which of us is more shocked. Lila’s facial features quickly shift to mirror mine, except she smacks her hand over her mouth.
Clearly, I’ve touched a nerve by mentioning our past. Interesting.
It takes us a solid five seconds before we break from the stunned silence. She starts blinking rapidly, and her hand slowly lowers, revealing a substantially less traumatized expression.
As for me, a taunting smile slowly crawls up my face. “Well, looks like I said something triggering for you. Later, we can circle back?—”
