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"It is No bad drea you sleep the whole night through, then"
"See you soon," I sht as I , and I couldn’t contain er seat of the BMW
"You talked to Jared," Bex said with a knowing s hoo y away frohed "You’re in charge of the hoot it covered," Bex said with an rin "You have dinner plans"
"Oh Right," I said, sinking into the sink with a huff
Bex sped to Cynthia’s faster and with more precision than any television car chase I’d ever seen, much less been a part of He jerked the wheel, and let the Bee spot
"One of you wil get pul ed over one of these days, and I’ to steady myself once my feet hit the pavement
"Our boss has plenty of money to bail us out," he sh"
"Even if it was Jared?" Bex said, escorting me up the iron steps
"Especial y if it was Jared"
"I don’t believe you And if Claire found out about it…"
"You’re right I’d bail you out," I nodded
I changed clothes quickly, and then fol owed Bex to the Bee him drive like a control edwithin minutes, Bex jumped out of the driver's side to open my door We traded smal talk as he walked withit would be one of our shorter visits Just as I reached for the handle, Cynthia opened the door, startling atha is il today I’ve barely been able to tend to dinner Of al days for her to get sick…" Cynthia said, looking uncharacteristical y disheveled
Her eyes targeted Bex
"Good evening, Mrs Grey," Bex said
She nodded politely "Wil you be joining us, Bex?"
"No, Ma’a a shift"
Cynthia’s cold eyes narrowed at him as she held out her arm to usher me into the house
"I'l wait here," Bex whispered
"Probably safer," I mouthed
She wasted no ti," I said, cringing aton the spot by now
"Hmm…" she said, clearly unconvinced She didn’t press the issue, I assumed it was because of the fact that I was safe Beyond that she didn’t bother to question
The table had been set, but I helped bring out the soup and salad, and entrée
"I’ for her infamous scowl
"You're predictable," she snapped Her expression soon sht I would try so different Chicken Coconut Soup, and wild mushroom fricassee over Polenta"
"Whatever that is," I said, overwhelh you were fed take-out your entire life I have always enjoyed cooking"
"And you never cease to surprise
She didn’t ask about Jared’s whereabouts again We stumbled over the smal talk, and politely discussed the weather Cynthia hadn’t mentioned my father since I returned home from the hospital I wondered if she ever would The residual circles under my eyes were a brief topic of conversation, and then I helped her clean the dinner dishes before saying goodbye
"Dinner was uneventful?" Bex asked, holding the passenger door of the Beemer open
My eyes narrowed atYou’re sure she hasn’t call ed or talked to Jared?"
"Haven’t heard a word," Bex shrugged
At the loft, I foundReality television kept ed up the stairs in defeat
"Aw…but they’re going to get in the hot tub in a second The girls get in a cat fight, its funny!"
"Wake ets home," I said
"Aye, aye, El Capitan," he responded
"You know you’re not supposed to speak foreign languages tointo the bed with h to travel to the first level, but Bex could hear, regardless
"I wasn’t…never mind," Bex said, too involved in the hot tub disco party to argue
Just as I closed ain The alarm clock on Jared’s side read nine-thirty
"You okay, Nina?" Bex call ed up "Bad dreams?"
"No," I whispered Just that e I hadn’t realized I was so tired, and it was somyself awake
Ice was beneath ainst the smooth, shiny whiteness below That was the only way I are it was dream--my feet arm and comfortable My father’s officeca alone in the middle of Fleet Rink Soon my naked feet were adorned with a pair of new ice skates, and Jack stood in the , s and old, circled the space where I stood Sportingred noses, their h
I waved to hi forward, I could hear the blade of ain, I noticed Jack was no longer s back and forth in his office, and then I saw Gabe
They were arguing
Oh no, I thought, feeling the tugging feeling again No!
Back in the dusty, stale office, I landed on al fours again Anger surged throughto norht in Jared’s ar better, that I was getting better
"I’ Jack and Gabe