Page 5 of A Convenient Secret
“Dad is allergic,” her brother growls.
“Can I come and play with Coco tomowow?” Zoya’s brown eyes widen, looking at Saar with expectation.
Saar goes white and glances at her beloved cat.
“Maybe Auntie can take you to the shelter where she volunteers, and you can help her with the kittens and puppies there,” I offer, hoping I didn’t overstep.
“That is a wonderful idea. I’ll talk to your dad about it.” Saar winks at me and mouths a thank you.
“Dope,” Zoya cheers, and runs off.
I watch the little girl disappear outside. Funny how I just met her but I feel a kinship toward her. “Those are Declan’s kids?”
“How do you know Declan?” Saar frowns, and for some outlandish reason, embarrassment warms my cheeks.
“From Celeste’s Christmas party.” I balance on one foot then another.
Celeste is our mutual friend, and half a year ago, her husband, Saar’s brother, organized their vow-renewal Christmas party.
I now realize I’m going to see all the people I met there. My pulse quickens, and my mouth goes dry.
“Oh, I forgot about that. Come get a drink. How was it?” Saar asks, leading me toward their patio.
How was what? Oh shit, she’s talking about my fake breakup.
“It was okay.” Will the lies never cease? “I’m more shaken about a fire alarm at work.”
“Oh no. Are you okay?”
I sigh. “I need a drink.”
Saar wraps her arm around me, and we step outside.
“Lils,” Cora calls as soon as she sees us.
I walk over to the makeshift bar in the corner and hug her. Cora is the first person in New York who showed me the kindness I didn’t deserve.
She owns a bistro and hired me with no experience. I lasted a few weeks, and that was probably several days longer than I should have done. I couldn’t figure out the coffee machine, or learn how to carry a tray without spilling everything.
Not something that was taught in my childhood home. I probably still owe Cora for the broken dishes. She let me take care of her social media to even out the score.
While she’s a decade older, we became friends. And she introduced me to Celeste and Saar. And they became my people. I didn’t believe I could trust anyone when I arrived here, but they proved me wrong.
“What are you drinking?” Cora asks.
“I’ll have a glass of white.”
“Coming right up,” Xander says and winks at me.
Alexander Stone is a partner in Merged. Saar’shusband, Cormac, leads the company. Her brother, Caleb, has an equal share.
Xander gets my drink from the hired bartender. “Cheers. You ladies got even prettier since Christmas.”
I giggle into my glass.
“Stone, Jesus, do those lines really work?” Cora laughs.
“I have money and looks, sweetheart; I don’t need lines,” he jokes.
