Page 20 of Daddy Sees Snakes

I take a long drag from my cigarette, exhaling a plume of smoke. "What do you want, Iris?"

"Allegra told me you guys are having some sort of party tonight."

"Yep. We are. And we're going to have a good time. So, why don't you go run off and play dress-up and leave the adults to their business."

"Adults? Are you fucking kidding me right now?" she snaps, her eyes narrowing. "You're the one who invited me, remember? And you're the one who was an absolute jerk at the park the other day."

She's right.

My words had been unnecessarily harsh.

"I'm sorry," I say, hanging my head. "That wasn't fair. You've been nothing but a great friend to Allegra. You've helped me so much. And I just..."

She snarls, words laced with venom. "You justwhat?"

"I'm just sorry, okay? I'm sorry."

She shakes her head, looking at me like I'm some pathetic creature.

I can't even be mad at her for it. I deserve the way she's looking at me right now.

"Look," she says, her voice softer now. "I know you're dealing with a lot. And I'm not trying to add to that. I just want to be a good friend to you. For us to be friends."

"Friends," I repeat, the word tasting bitter on my tongue.

"Yes. Friends. Like I am with Allegra. She's my best friend, you know. And it would mean a lot to her if we could get along. I'm sure it couldn't hurt your tumultuous relationship either."

Get along.

The idea of it seems almost laughable.

After all, I can barely keep myself from wanting to pull Iris into my arms and kiss her senseless.

How am I supposed to be friends with her?

"Fine," I say, relenting. "We can be friends, if that's what you want."

She smiles, the sight sending a bolt of electricity straight to my heart. "Great. I'll see you at the party tonight, then."

With that, she turns and heads back into the house, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

My eyes trail after her, watching as her hips sway from side to side.

God, she's gorgeous.

This is going to be a long, long winter.

I'm screwed, completely and utterly screwed.

And not in the way I'd like to be.

I down the rest of my drink and light another cigarette, determined to lose myself in the hazy cloud of smoke and liquor.

I'll deal with my feelings for Iris later.

For now, all I want is to forget.

The sun has started its descent, casting long shadows across the deck.

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