Page 64 of Sinful Beauty

“Have you connected with Jamie?”

“Who?”

“Jamie Baumann. He was a good friend of yours.”

“You mean before boarding school?”

“Well, yes. You both went to primary together.”

“Dad, I haven’t come across him since I was probably twelve years old.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize. Well, what friends do you have here?”

My stay in Geneva will be a short one, so I have cultivated no friendships, but I can’t exactly say that to Dad.

“You need friends. That’s something else I wish I’d realized early on.”

I scoff. “You and mum have tons of friends.”

“Eh. Colleagues can be friends, but they aren’t always friends. And, I’m talking about the friends that aren’t centered on what you can do for each other. Just, you know, people you enjoy spending time with.”

“That’s the friendship you have with Cassandra?”

“It is. But it’s a romantic sort. I’m talking about genuine friendships. Men don’t have enough of those.”

“I’ll take it under advisement.” I swirl my wine, regretting my decision to lunch. It’s taken me some time to adjust to my parent’s open relationship. And maybe I’m still not completely fine with it. Although it’s between the two of them and I shouldn’t have any issues with it.

My phone buzzes and I whip it out, hoping to see a response from Lucia.

Lucia: Don’t need lunch. Can’t eat. Stomach bug. You do not want it.

I frown and set the phone down. She’s far too willing to go without eating. If she’s fighting a virus, she should eat for strength.

“Is she your girlfriend?” Dad jerks his chin toward the mobile.

“She’s a friend.” The answer smacks of dishonesty, but he hasn’t been honest with me about his relationship for decades, so…

“You care for her.”

“Yes.” That I can admit. I do care for her. Very much. I don’t like it at all when she’s not with me. It’s unusual for me and I don’t have any idea how long the sensation will last. I don’t know what to make of it.

“I knew you did.” Dad looks smug as he lifts his wine glass and crosses one arm over his abdomen.

“If you knew, then why did you inquire?”

“I wanted to know if you knew it.”

Frustration has me pushing up and excusing myself for the lavatory. He never acted like he cared when I was growing up. I’m not sure how to handle this version of my father. The one who wants to know how I feel. No wonder Mom has thrown herself into work.

In the hallway, I dial Lucia. It rings four times, and she doesn’t answer. I don’t like that at all.

Chapter24

Lucia

Khelani: Could you be pregnant?

It’s an innocuous question following a long message exchange with me wondering what I ate that could make me feel so nauseous. A wave of nausea hit me yesterday, but it went away. This morning I vomited at Tristan’s and on the walk to my place.

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