Page 64

‘Ahem.’ Ooo Gary’s back!

‘Hello, Gary.’

‘Afternoon, Miller. How goes the planning?’

‘Good,’ I say with inflection. One chiselled stone eyebrow raises.

I sigh. ‘I left the final pieces at home and they need to be framed tonight,’ I explain.

‘Why don’t you take the frames home with you and put them in tonight. Bring them back in the morning,’ he suggests and Aggy nods.

‘I would, it’s just… I don’t have a car.’

‘Why, Delilah does. I’m sure she’d be delighted to help.’

Yes. I’m sure. The look on her face makes me even more sure. ‘Would you be delighted, Delilah?’ Gary intones. It appears Delilah hasn’t as much appreciation for alliteration, as I. She looks like she just swallowed a bug.

She opens her mouth, and if her expression is anything to go by, I’d say it isn’t with anything kind in mind to say. Gary the gargoyle raises his brows, a silent threat.

She sighs, kicks her feet off the table. ‘Sure.’

I look at where she’s disappeared through the door and then back to Gary with wide eyes.

‘I’d hurry, Miller. She’s not one to dally.’

Right. I grab the trolley of frames and run after her.

‘Don’t even think about it.’

My hand drops back into my lap.

Delilah is not a ‘window down’ kinda gal. Noted.

Makes sense she’d drive a mini van though. She’d need all that extra leg room for her colossal fucking attitude. I’m cramped as fuck in the passenger seat. In amongst the golden frames I had to speed cram into the car under threat of being run over.

My thighs feel sticky against the seat. ‘Is this pleather?’

‘I’m vegetarian,’ she answers.

‘Good to know you wouldn’t have to bend on your morals if you ever get hungry and stuck in a jam.’

She hits me with a little more exasperation than I think that statement warranted.

‘So, do you⁠—’

‘Don’t make this any more unbearable than it already is,’ she grinds out.

‘What is your problem with me? Seriously I have done noth⁠—’

‘Can I not just hate you without reason?’ she asks.

I contemplate my answer while I study the interior of her car. It’s impeccably tidy. Actually, come to think of it, everywhere she inhabits is structured and well put together. She’s the antithesis of me.

‘I mean, you could. But it’d be dumb if you did.’

‘Are you calling me stupid?’

I’d love to say yes, but then I’d be lying too. ‘I’m calling you out. You’re not dumb enough to hate someone without reason.’