Page 2 of Ruthless God

“She’s very advanced for a five-month-old.”

Harvey says, “I’ll make the guac.”

I add, “No, I will. Your guac is terrible.”

He rolls his eyes but doesn’t disagree. I mean, it’s the truth.

He says, “Guess I’ll watch my favorite baby while the two of you cook.”

He follows Lili from my room. When they’re gone, I grab my phone.

Jade

Hey girlie! Any spots open?

For you? Always!

When can you start?

ASAP

If you can be in tonight, then I’ll get you on the list.

I’ll be there.

Swing by my office when you get here. Lots of things to chat about.

See you then!

Dropping my phone on my bed, I join my friends in the kitchen. Harvey catches my gaze, but I look away. He knows me too well and I don’t want to fight with him. I just want to help him. Which is why I’m not going to tell him what I’m doing.

Lili tells us about her day at the coffee shop where we both work while we eat, making us laugh. She attracts a lot of attention from men, even though she’s not looking. She’s too hung up on Raquel’s father to move on. Personally, I think the man is a dick. I mean, he fucked her in a bathroom and then freaked out over his dead wife. And Lili is hisson’s ex! Says a lot about him, if you ask me. But Lili didn’t ask me, so I keep my thoughts to myself.

Instead, I cook next to my best friends and try not to worry about Harvey. His gaze meets mine a few times before he looks away, making me feel worse. I don’t want him to worry aboutme, either. Not when he’s the one with real crap happening in his life. Crap that’s going to get real bad, real fast.

When the food is ready, we sit around the small table pushed against the wall. Lili feeds Raquel in her highchair while we eat. We all laugh when she gives Raquel a small bite of guacamole and Raquel spits it out, making a face. Everything is normal and yet I know this might be the last time we’re all this happy.

“I’ll clean up,” I say when we’re finished eating.

Lili’s eyebrows shoot up. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah…”

“Because youneveroffer to clean up.” She looks at Harvey. “Back me up here.”

Harvey says, “She has a point.”

“Wow,” I draw out the word. “I see how it is. A girl tries to be nice to her roommates and everyone acts like she’s lost it.”

Harvey grins at that. “You said it. Not us.”

Standing, I reach for his plate and stick out my tongue for good measure.

I say, “Go pick a movie. I’ll make popcorn when I’m done in here.”

Lili carries the baby and heads toward the living room. Harvey waits a beat before following. I exhale when I’m alone. I hate fighting with Harvey, so, in this case, lying to him is better. It’s the only option, really.

As I clean in the kitchen, I hear my friends debating over which movie to watch. They finally settle on a romcom and yell out that it’s starting. By the time I join them on the couch with the popcorn, the movie’s just started.

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