“He’d better not.”
***
Roz jumped when she heard a knock on her door. Konrad, sitting next to her on the couch, pulled her close and whispered, “If you need anything, anything at all, I’ll be right in the next room.” He gave her a quick kiss and retreated to the bedroom.
She rose, steeled herself for facing her stepfather, and hoped the meeting wasn’t as awkward as she anticipated. She crossed to the door warily and opened it a crack. There he stood, hands in his pressed pants pockets, looking as nervous as she felt.
“Hello, Roz.”
She crossed her arms. “Hello, jerk. What do you want?”
He smiled the smarmy smile she remembered. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Roz. Water under the bridge. Can’t we be friends after all this time?”
“Not really.”
He held up both hands. “Well, I came in peace. In fact, I thought I could help you. I understand you have a difficult case coming up.”
“I have all the help I need, thank you.”
He hung his head. “Please don’t be like that, Roz. We haven’t talked in so long, and you never know, I might have some insight. If you’re uncomfortable inviting me into your apartment, perhaps I can take you out for a cup of coffee.”
She wasn’t fooled by his contrite act. He’d never admitted doing anything wrong, and she knew he never would. “No thanks, Stan. I have coffee here.”
He tossed his hands in the air and paced, but he didn’t leave. She knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t, even—or maybe especially—when he looked exasperated and was getting nowhere.
At last he whirled on her and took his authoritative stance. “There’s no reason in the world you should treat me this way. I have nothing but your success in mind. Surely you can’t believe I’d be fool enough to come here with any motive other than professional. Look at you. It’s not like you’re irresistibly attractive. You’ve put on at least twenty pounds.”
The fine hairs on the back of her neck prickled. Roz’s nostrils flared, and she clamped her lips together tight so she wouldn’t say anything to make her sound like the hurt little girl he was trying to manipulate her into becoming.
“Roz, I’m coming out.”
No! I can handle this. Stay right where you are.
“Then end the conversation. One more comment like he just made, and I’ll punch him in the face.”
Roz stepped back and began to close the door.
“What’s the matter? I just spoke the truth to ease your mind and put the past behind us.”
She mustered an even tone and said, “The past is part of me now. Maybe that’s the extra weight you’re looking at.”
“Oh, now don’t try to blame—”
The loud bang as the door slammed drowned out the rest of Stan’s sentence. She turned the dead bolt and ignored his demands to open the door.
Konrad came barreling out of the bedroom. She placed herself between him and the door and pushed on his solid chest, stopping him.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She took a deep breath and exhaled in an effort to steady her nerves. “I’m fine…or I will be.”
“Roz, please, let me escort him to the sidewalk…by the seat of his pants.”
“No, it’s better if he doesn’t see you. Just…just hold me.”
He grasped her in a tight embrace.
She felt his heart pounding and imagined adrenaline rushing through his veins.He really does love me, enough to fight for me. Yet he’s willing to listen and respect my wishes. It’s a damn good thing, since I’m ninety-nine percent sure that jerk-face will be in the courtroom for the trial.
