Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,65
anything I can do to help.”
Then he leveled his gaze at her. “Yeah, there is. Be there when I call you at ten tomorrow morning. Don’t even think about avoiding me.”
She saluted. “Yes, sir.”
Chapter 18
Angie landed on the couch with a thud and kicked off her shoes. “Is it my imagination, or was today weirder than usual?”
“It was weird,” Brandee answered without hesitation. She flopped onto the lounging part of the sofa and leaned against the fluffiest pillow.
“Good. I mean, I’m glad it’s not my imagination. I think I’ve lived in the city long enough to distinguish between regular weird and really weird. You know?”
“Lots of things seemed odd when I first moved here to go to school. But after a few weeks, nothing surprised me anymore.”
“Yeah, that’s because you went to art school with the freaks.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m just saying it took me a little longer to become shockproof. For instance, today at the bar a grown man had wide, bright yellow streaks in his hair. That would have struck me as bizarre when I was a kid, growing up in the burbs, but all I said to the guy today was, ‘Great hair. Where do you get it done?’”
Brandee chuckled. “Yeah, I noticed him too. Nice-looking guy. So where did he say his stylist was?”
“He didn’t. He said it was natural.”
“Are you kidding me?” Brandee laughed. “Yeah, right. And I’ll bet he can fly too.”
“I don’t know about that, but I took a good look at the roots and didn’t see any. I really want to know where he goes for his color. I like my highlights, but you can tell they’re not natural. Even five minutes after my hairdresser finishes with me, I have dark blond roots.”
“I hope he comes back. Then we can keep an eye on that regrowth. If the roots never show, maybe he’s telling the truth. I’m beginning to believe all kinds of crazy things.”
Angie waved the comment away. “He was the least of today’s weirdness. What was with that woman who talked about vampires and whatnot? First she just hung around without ordering anything, and later she was whining to Sadie. Did Nick ever tell you how he knew her or what mental hospital she escaped from?”
“No. He said they were just acquaintances. Apparently her husband witnessed a crime or something and had to talk to the police. So maybe she was talking about the crime. I didn’t ask Nick the details. I just wanted to end the conversation and get back to work.”
“Yeah, you two had a couple of intense-looking discussions. What were you talking about?”
“I can’t tell you.”
Angie reared back and stared at her. “But you tell me everything!”
“I-I shouldn’t.”
Angie tossed her hands in the air. “Oh, great. Another foul-weather friend.”
“What do you mean?”
“It seems whenever a woman finds a boyfriend, he replaces me as best buddy and confidant. Suddenly the woman has no time for me, she starts keeping secrets—”
“That won’t happen with us.”
“Oh yeah? Then what were you and Nick arguing about?”
“He wanted to know what I said to you, and I said it was private. How hypocritical would I be if I told you about my conversations with him?”
“Not to worry. That’s the best friend’s privilege.”
“I don’t think…oh, heck. I might as well tell you what I can.”
Before she had a chance to open her mouth, the door buzzed.
Angie hopped up. “Who could that be?”
Brandee had a sinking feeling she knew exactly who it was. “Don’t answer it right away. Better yet, let me.”
Angie halted. “Why? Do you think it’s Nick?”
“Yes.” She levered herself up and crawled off the lounger.
Angie shrugged. “Whatever. You can invite him up if you want to. I’m going to my bedroom to read.”
Brandee waited until Angie left the room and the buzzer sounded a second time. She pushed the intercom button and yawned loudly, then she tried to make her voice sound as if she’d just been woken out of a sound sleep. “Who is it?”
“Nick.”
“What do you want?”
“To come up. I have something to tell you about your cousin.”
Shit. If he needed her help with Katie and she turned him away, she’d never forgive herself. She buzzed him in before she could talk herself out of it.
When he knocked on her door, she realized her little sleepy ruse would have been more effective if it was later at night and she was wearing pajamas. Oh well. Too late now. She opened the door and he strode in.