Page 92 of My Secret Snowflake
“Kevin recommended a firm, but I’ve never heard of them, and I don’t trust him,” Bob says.
Kevin definitely can’t be trusted.
“I can reach out to my former boss at Capital. She’s done some cybersecurity investigations.”
Back in my office, I call Iris again. Why isn’t she picking up my calls? She’s actively avoiding me. It doesn’t make sense.
I call my former boss and send the list of firms she recommends to Bob.
My phone rings. I grab it.Not Iris.
Rupert says, “I proposed last night, and Lily accepted.”
What? Yes. Not that it’s a huge surprise. But I’m still very happy for Rupert.
“Congratulations!”
“I wanted you to be the first to know, and I’m pretty sure Lily is about to tell everybody at Banter & Books tonight. They’re meeting to discuss the fundraising for the library that Iris’s little sibling wants to build.”
“Iris too?” I ask.
“I’m sure Iris will be there. It’s her sibling’s project. Lily just skipped out of here, saying everybody was coming. Her dad and I are enjoying drinks back here in my apartment. But I had to call you.”
Time to get some answers at Banter & Books.
Chapter twenty-six
Iris
I’mfirsttoarriveat Banter & Books, probably a record for me. The benefits of being fired. I thought about saying I couldn’t come because, honestly, I want to go straight back out to Raphael’s house in Brooklyn. But this is Faith’s project. I can’t ask them to do all this work and not show up.
Focus on helping Faith and forget about Dream—for now.
At least it stopped raining. A train runs on a track in the Banter & Books window display with book recommendations in each train wagon, including local authors like my friend, Bella. Round and around. Like the thoughts in my head.
In the other window, holiday-themed novels fall in a flurry of paper snowflakes. Like all my dreams crashing to the ground.
I push open the door and make my way through the velvet curtains that surround the door entrance to keep out the cold. Hanging plants and shelves filled with colorful books line the whitewashed walls. Holiday music plays in the background, underneath a cheerful buzz of conversation. It smells of cinnamon cider and balsam candles. This is reallynothelping.
I try to make myself relax into the vibe of Banter & Books, which feels like a harmonious mash-up of a café in Provence and a greenhouse. I take a deep breath and let it out. I have to relax for now.
I can’t.
Escorted out…on leave…Sebastian drafting my leave agreement…runs on a loop through my head.Focus on this meeting, Iris.
The long table in the conservatory in the back is occupied. I grab one table off to the side, surrounded by peace lilies, the four French-blue settees around it empty. That won’t be enough chairs, but I can pull some from the table at the back. I put my box down on a chair, Raphael’sNo Trustpeeking out of top.
What am I going to do?I text everyone that I have a table.
Sebastian has not stopped calling.
I should call him back. But if he says we’re done…that’s it. I slump down into one of the chairs, feeling suddenly weak. I can’t take that betrayal too—on top of losing my job. And if Patrick couldn’t be faithful after dating for a year, what’s going to make Sebastian believe me? We’ve only been dating for seconds.
Or if he’s calling me as Dream’s lawyer…
My eyes water.
The door chime rings, and Lily enters. She’s glowing, her eyes bright and her blonde hair gleaming. She waves hello and bounces over. I quickly wipe under my eyes.
