as a surprise. What does, however, is the sudden prick of conscience I experience.
One more lie I’m complicit in.
‘Would I lie to you?’ he asks, hands out like a priest giving a sermon. ‘Yesterday, you looked like a sexy assassin. You had your hair poker straight and tied up on top of your head. You know what I called you then?’
‘No, and I don’t think I want to.’ Despite her cool tone, he answers anyway.
‘Villanelle.’
My mind is still whirling that he called her sexy, though I somehow register his response. ‘Like poetry?’ Why does it feel worse to me that he thinks of Rose as poetry over sexy? Why? The man can barely recount a limerick.
Rhett glances my way, looking as confused as I feel. ‘Poetry? It’s a program on TV. Fuck hot Russian assassin? Lesbian undertones?’
‘Well, this has been . . . real.’ Rose shakes her head like a horse shaking off flies.
She dumps the bag on the table again as Rhett dives for it, sliding into the chair at the head of the table with a triumphant, ‘Yes!’
‘There’s a shake, Big Mac, fries, and twelve chicken nuggets,’ she says, rubbing her hand against her forehead. ‘I didn’t know what you wanted—’
It wasn’t greasy fast food, and I’m sure my expression conveys this perfectly. The only thing I had any intention of eating this afternoon was her.
‘—but maybe you can share or something.’
‘I don’t want fast food.’ I’m aware how petulant I sound, but this isn’t faked disappointment. Fast food or a slow screw—or even just a few minutes with Rose in his arms—which would any man choose?
‘Yeah, well, I don’t want to spend today pandering to rich people, but here I am anyway.’
‘That’s your job,’ I point out, none too nicely, I fear, judging by her expression. But the way she’s looking at me doesn’t keep me at bay.
‘Lucky me, huh? I get to nanny for babies in grown-up bodies. Babies in control of a large portion of the world’s wealth, yet they can’t even order a salad or a sandwich for themselves.’
‘You don’t have a dog and bark yourself.’ That was an unpleasant analogy and one I wish I could inhale, dispel, but fuck it, this isn’t how I planned my day to go. She said she was too tired to spend time with me Sunday and can barely look at me right now. And now I’m being a bastard to her when all I want to do is take her in my arms and kiss the hurt from her face.
‘Rose—’ Even her name doesn’t sound as gentle as it should.
‘No one could ever accuse you of having a silver tongue,’ Rhett mutters. ‘Ignore him. He must have low blood sugar.’
‘I do not need you to make excuses for me.’
‘Your funeral. You can’t help some people.’ He holds up the flaccid looking burger as though in thanks. ‘If you ever want anyone killed, Heidi, just give me a shout. Anyone but him,’ he amends as her eyes flick my way again.
‘Everett, get out.’
‘No, you stay. I’m out of here.’
‘You’re not going anywhere,’ I growl, grabbing her arm as she turns.
Her gaze flicks pointedly down to where I’ve creased the sleeve of her dress. ‘Let. The. Fuck. Go.’
‘Everett,’ I repeat.
‘Got it.’ He begins to gather the grease-stained burger bag in one hand, the half-eaten burger in the other. As the door closes behind him, I unfurl my fingers, almost surprised she hadn’t pulled away.
‘I am at a loss to explain what just happened,’ I begin as the blood in my veins seethes. ‘But this isn’t about lunch or the way you wear your hair, or your terse texts.’
‘My terse texts?’ she retorts, folding her arms. ‘Let me tell you, yours were hardly a barrel of laughs to read. Demanding and childish and—’
‘Let me finish.’
‘Was it one woof for yes and two for no?’ Her response is sweet yet full of malice, but I brought it on myself. And I won’t be baited.
‘I’m sorry, that wasn’t what I meant.’ Her lips purse, but I carry on. ‘But I was provoked.’
‘Pretty sure that’s the excuse all bullies use.’
‘I was provoked, and you are doing the provoking,’ I continue, not rising to her tone. ‘But more importantly, you’ve been avoiding me.’
‘I am not avoiding you,’ she replies immediately. ‘I told you, yesterday I had a headache. I was tired.’
‘That’s not it.’ And I feel it in my bones as I step into her, forcing her to tip her head back to