Page 18 of Knight

“What’s the occasion?” I ask, settling into the passenger’s seat. Allie’s already sparking up a long joint while I glance in the back. “Where’s Nate?”

“With Carlos.” Allie blows on the end, taking a small puff before she passes it to me. “As for the occasion, it’s your first day back since Sebastien King … y’know. Thought you could use a friend, and some provisions.”

The joint is already to my lips when she finishes her sentence. She smiles as I inhale, opening the sunroof. It’s a chilly fall day but the sun is shining bright, giving a glare to Allie’s lenses. As she turns out of the driveway, she turns on some old Paramore and it’s already doing wonders for my mood.

I’m happy I didn’t turn her off with my comment last night, and this is making this Monday morning all the better. Allie starts belting the words to “Ignorance” and it’s contagious. In seconds we’re bopping our heads, wind taking away our hair and our words as I belt out all my frustrations. It’s only when Allie turns into MOCHA that my words trail off.

“When you said coffee I didn’t think you meant my old workplace,” I groan, the sting of getting fired still fresh in my mind.

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid to go in there,” she says, thumb pointed towards the doors.

“I’m not afraid. I’m bitter.”

“Why be bitter when you can be better?” I must be high because I snort a laugh at her before she opens her door. “C’mon. I’ll order something super complicated that you don’t have to make.”

“Someone still has to make it.”

She waves me off, pulling a purple beanie on her head as I follow her through the white french doors. As we make our way to the marble counter, the smell of coffee fills my nose, classical music coming through the speakers. Staring around the luxurious room makes my stomach clench, my palms clammy. All I can see is Damien. I can even hear his voice in my ear.

I love it when you beg.

“One caramel latte and whatever this stunning human being wants,” Allie orders with a smile. There’s a guy behind the counter with impeccable posture, his nose pointy, a tie around his neck. Looks like Cindy went for the snobbiest barista in Eden to replace me.

“Black,” I say. “Large.”

While he tends to our drinks, Allie babbles about how ridiculous her parents are being about something. While I appreciate the effort, she hardly has my attention. After we get our drinks, she leads me to a small table near the doors, tucked to the side. I’m trying to listen to what she’s saying but my mind is a mess with Damien as the main focus. It feels like yesterday when he was holding me in his arms in this very room, his hard body pressed against me. A surprising comfort.

And now we’re back at zero.

“Jo?” Allie’s settling into a fuschia sofa, patting the seat beside her.

“Sorry,” I wince, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear before I take a seat, crossing my legs on the cushion.

“No, don’t apologize.” Allie rests a hand on my shoulder, scooting in closer. “I know I’m trying to act like this day is all roses but, if you want to talk about it, I’m here for that too.”

There are so many things going on in my head I can’t even pick out what to say first. I’m about to thank Allie for being nothing but awesome this morning when I hear Cindy’s voice coming from the small hallway next to the bar. “Thank you for meeting with me, Marion. We’ll be in touch?”

“Enchante Cindy,” Marion’s voice is next before I see her put on a set of shades and saunter towards the bar. She’s wearing a red dress, a shiny pair of black heels and leather gloves on her hands. Her hair hangs to her shoulders like she got a fresh cut.

“What’s Marion doing with Cindy?” The question comes out of my mouth like I’d plucked it out of my head.

Allie shrugs, following my gaze. “Who the fuck knows? We didn’t even know King had an aunt, or any family for that matter, until yesterday.”

Marion takes a small cup from the barista before she takes long strides to the door, a big furry scarf around her shoulders. She spots us as she leaves, locking eyes with me. Her thin eyebrows lower before a tight smile comes across her face. Marion pushes through the doors like she owns the joint before I watch her get into a limo without a care in the world.

Do you ever get a bad vibe from someone? That’s the feeling I get when I look at Marion.

“Speaking of family,” Allie pauses, her words pulling me out of my gaze. “What’s the deal with you and my brother?”

I choke on my sip of coffee, sitting up. “What? There’s no deal.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna threaten you or anything.” She rolls her eyes. “I’ll have your back before his any day.”

“There’s no need to worry about picking sides,” I say between coughs. “Nothing is going on.”

“Not like with you and Damien?” She brings her cup to her purple painted lips, her glasses over the rim like she’s here for the tea.

“I don’t know if there is a ‘me and Damien’.” My voice comes out quiet, and I hate the feeling I get inside when I say that. I clear my throat, stopping the shake in my voice. Why does he have that effect on me? “He was pretty hostile yesterday.”

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