Page 75 of Emerald Malice

I’m acutely, agonizingly aware that the only person who knows all those things about me is on the other side of this phone.

And she’s calling because she hasn’t given up yet.

“Okay. I’m waiting.”

“I can’t stand the silence anymore,” Katya says. “You’re my best friend, Nat, and I want you back. Just tell me what I need to do to make it up to you. I’m done being a bad friend. I’m done bullying you into my crackpot schemes. I’m done being an obnoxious bitch who thinks the world revolves around her. I just need you to take me back and I will spend the rest of our lives being the perfect friend.”

She’s panting when she finishes.

Just like that, my anger slips away, eclipsed by bigger, more pertinent emotions. Most of which have Andrey’s name stamped all over them.

“Okay.”

She gasps. “Really?!”

“I’ve given you the silent treatment long enough.”

“Oh my—hallelujah!” she exclaims. “Nat, you have no idea how happy I am.”

My face actually cracks into a smile. It feels like it’s been a long, long while since I had anything to genuinely smile about.

“When can we meet? Are you free now? Are you working?”

“My lunch break is in half an hour.”

“Let’s meet at Burning Bird in half an hour then?” she suggests. “It’s right down the street from Sunshield. If I leave now, I’ll be there on time.”

“We can always meet after work if you?—”

“No!” she interrupts. “Lunch is great. Can’t wait to see you.”

She hangs up and I walk back to my cubicle feeling much lighter. The weight in my chest hasn’t disappeared by any means, but at least it’s manageable now.

I’m so looking forward to lunch that I actually forget about my pretty-boy bodyguard until I see him standing out front with an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth.

“You smoke?”

“Used to. Best days of my life, really.” Leonty puts the cigarette away and sighs. “Now, I just pretend. Where are you off to?”

“Burning Bird for lunch. It’s right down the street; no need to follow me. Literally just a block aw—Oh. Okay. Got it. You’re walking with me. Still walking. Still walking. Stiiiiill… goddammit, Leonty.”

He grins. “Who’re we meeting?”

“A friend.”

“You don’t have friends.” I glare at him so hard, he flushes with regret. “Er, what I mean is…”

“Save it.” I twist on my heel and resume striding in the direction of the restaurant. “Just stay out of sight, okay? She doesn’t know about you people yet.”

“‘Us people’?” Leonty repeats with amusement.

“My own personal boy band.”

I know I’m not being fair to Leonty or any of the others.

They’re not the ones ignoring me.

They’re not the ones using me for my body.

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