Page 46 of Secrets & Desires
“So, I have news.” Moriko said with a grin and Livia’s eyebrows shot up. She glanced at Marcel, which made Moriko rollhereyes.
“Will you stop with that? I adore Marcel, but I alsoworkfor him. No, it’s not Marcel, but I did meetsomeone.”
“Who?”
“Not ready to say yet. But I am giving up the apartment. I thought youshouldknow.”
“You’re moving in with whoever it is?” Livia was shocked but Moriko just stuck her tongue in her cheek and gave her friend a defiant stare. Livia grinned sheepishly. Yep, she hadnoright to be scandalized. “Sorry. Where are youmovingto?”
Moriko told her and Livia whistled. It was an upscale apartment building in the city, a block or two from where Odelle lived. “Verynice.”
“It has one of those old-fashioned elevators, like you see in French movies. All wrought iron and fancy schmancy.” Moriko sounded so proud that Livia couldn’t help butgiggle.
“Fancy.”
“You bet your ass it’s fancy. Hey, maybe we’ll have to do soirees like you do with all your fancy newfriends.”
Livia grinned. “Shut up. Well, I’m happy for you, boo. When do we get to meet CaptainElevator?”
“Ha ha. And soon,hopefully.”
“At least tell me hisfirstname.”
“Nope. Livewithit.”
“Spoilsport.”
Odelle arrived justafter one p.m. and Livia took her break. They sat two tables away from Livia’s conspicuous bodyguards. Odelle looked amused. “It must be strange for you to have themaround.”
Livia nodded. “It is, but don’t think I’m not grateful,Odelle.”
“You can call me Odie, ifyoulike.”
Livia smiled at her. “You’ve been a true friend to me andNox,Odie.”
The other woman flushed a little. “I’m not good at making friends,” she said, “especially with women. They don’t trust me, for some reason. I don’t know why, it’s not like I’m sleeping around with their men. UnlikeAmber.”
Livia sighed. “I’ve been having doubts about her, tracing back to what you said. But at the same time, she hasn’t done anything wrong—I don’t think. Certainly, Nox doesn’t see anything amiss and I’m hesitant to say anything negative. They’re soclose.”
“Understandable. Look, maybe I’m biased. I’ve never liked the woman, and now that I know she was sleepingwithRoan…”
“Was?”
Odelle smiled. “As soon as she knew I found out, she dumped him. Amber has no use for men after the wife or girlfriend finds out.” She looked at Livia. “Does thatupsetyou?”
Livia nodded. “I wanted to believe she was a good one. I thought thatshewas.”
“Livvy, you’re your own woman. Do I think Amber is malicious? Not where Nox is concerned, certainly, and to be fair, she’s seemed to take toyoutoo.”
“So, if we rule out Amber and Roan, who else would have a grudge against Nox?” Even saying the words made Liviatremble.
“I honestly don’t know. We both know Sandor is straight asadie.”
“He’s ateddybear.”
Odelle smiled. “He is. He’s a good one. If only I’d fallen for himinstead.”
Livia chuckled. “I would pay to see that. So,anyoneelse?”
