Page 24 of Ruthless Beast

“I don’t get it, Dannie. Why wouldn’t David tell me himself?”

“Are you serious? You’re his baby sister, Ems. There are some things family members don’t like to share with each other. Simon is, sorry, was David's closest friend. He knew your brother best. If David was involved in anything like that, he would have discussed it with a bud.”

“I guess it’s worth a shot.”

Dannie has a point. If anyone knows anything it would be Simon. He and David have been friends since kindergarten. I sit down on the couch in the living room and scroll through my contacts until I find his name.

“Hey, Ems. Is everything okay?” he says when he answers the call.

“Hi, Si. I’m okay, thanks. Can we meet for a drink? I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Uh, sure. When?”

“How about tonight?”

“Of course. I’ll meet you at the club. Sevenish, okay?”

“Sure.”

My mind is a maelstrom of questions. Does Simon know anything about David that I don’t? And if he does, will he tell me?

“What did he say?” Dannie asks.

“I’m meeting him tonight at the club.”

“Good. Do you want me to come with you, Ems?”

“No, it’s alright, Dannie. I’ll be fine. Besides, don’t you have a hot date tonight?”

“I sure do. He’s no Lucas, but he certainly gets my motor racing,” she grins.

“Did you say he’s a professor?”

“Yup. A stand-in for Clark, who’s getting married, so they got this cutie pie in to sub for him.”

“Isn’t that frowned upon? A professor dating a student?”

“Nah. I’ll be done with my masters by next month. It's not as if he’s seducing a newbie.”

“Well, I expect a full report when I get home.”

“You got it,” she smirks.

I’m happy that Dannie is seeing someone. David’s death was a terrible shock, and she took it pretty hard. I know my best friend secretly pinned her hopes on dating my brother some day. I, too, thought it would eventually happen. There was an unmistaken chemistry between them, but I suspect David held back for fear of upsetting my friendship with Dannie. Not that it matters anymore.

“I need some shuteye before tonight. I think I’ll take a quick nap.”

“Sure, Ems.”

I’ve been a bit tired and rundown. I remember taking frequent afternoon naps after my parents died. I guess it’s just my body’s way of coping. I don’t cry anymore the moment my head hits the pillow. Progress, I suppose. Today, I fall asleep quickly. Thank God.

It’s 7 p.m. on the dot and I can see Simon waiting for me at his and David’s regular table at the country club as soon as I walk in. He stands up in anticipation as he sees me approaching.

I’ve always liked Simon. He’s one of the good ones.

“Hi, Emily,” he says, kissing me on the cheek. “It’s so nice to see you.”

He and I haven’t spoken much since the funeral. I suspect the pain we’re trying to deal with makes it hard to see each other. He does call once a week to check on me, though.

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