Of course, Jill couldn’t keep her mouthshut. That’s so beyond her. I’m just going to play dumb and naïve since that’swhat everyone thinks I am. “Annie, what are you talking about?”
“Kate, please. You know what a blow jobis?” The last few words come out a whisper.
I scrunch my forehead, acting confused.“A what?”
“For crying out loud, you know. Oralsex?” I stare at her like I do not know what she’s talking about. “Katie, Iknow you know what I’m talking about. You can’t possibly be that naïve.”
I shrug my shoulders. “Or can I?”
I try to walk away, but she yanks my armagain. “You shouldn’t do that kind of stuff.”
I stare at her hand on my arm and thenglance up at her and she lets go. Ugh, Jill and her big mouth.
“Kate!” Laura comes bounding down thestairs.
Oh yes, Laura, she’ll have my back andrescue me. “Hey, I love the teal dress. Don’t you look hot!”
“Thanks, you too.” She grabs one of theheels out of my hands. “Holy shit. Chanel shoes. How much did those cost?”
I shrug. “I don’t ask and my personalshopper doesn’t tell.”
“Hey, can you button the top of my dressfor me?”
“Sure.” I slip on my shoes while Lauraswipes her hair to the side, and I do up the top button for her.
“So, um, Jill has a big mouth,” shewhispers.
“That’s what I hear.”
“Do you like that kind of thing?”
Oh brother, really. “Laura?”
“I know, I know—none of my business. Ijust can’t see you as the type to like that kind of thing.”
“Well—I,” I give her a look that says,‘why not?’
“No, I know, sorry. You look great, bythe way.”
“Thank you.”
“Kate.” Cole calls, coming out of thebedroom. “The safe’s open. Did you want any jewelry?”
“Yes, I do, please.”
“Is this okay?” He holds up my rounddiamond earrings and necklace.
“Yes, it’s perfect, thank you.” I takethe earrings, putting them on, and Cole helps me with the necklace.
He kisses my neck when he’s done. “Youlook beautiful.”
I give him a half smile. I don’t feelbeautiful. I feel stressed and irritated. I wish I didn’t feel like this, but Idon’t know how to dispel it. Maybe I should try screaming into a pillow orsomething. “Thank you.”
Jill comes down the stairs in a blackstrapless dress that sits high on her thighs. My mother, Kathy and grandma areright behind her.
“Oh, did you two finish up yourbusiness?”
That’s it, I have officially hit mylimit. Yelling at Jill will be more cathartic than a pillow. This is my lifeand if they don’t like the way I’m living it, then they can get out. “LookJill, for once—” But I’m suddenly hoisted off the ground. Cole drags me backinto the bedroom, shutting and locking the door behind him. He stops in themiddle of the room, his minty breath hot on my neck.
