Page 13 of The Naughty One
Why, though?she asked herself again as she browsed around the department store.Why do I feel likethat?
Maybe it was Dacre, Romy’s ex. He was still out there, still angry with Romy for leaving him. The way he had beaten her the last time still haunted Artemis. The hospital in New York had called her and she had flown with her mother and Juno to see Romy. Walking into that room, seeing her sister almost unrecognizable, her face bloodied and bruised, eyes swollen, her leg smashed … Romy, thankfully, had pressed charges, but Dacre, thanks to his wealthy parents, had hired the best lawyers money could buy and the Sasse women couldn’t compete. Dacre had been fined and gave an outward expression of regret, but Romy and her family knew he was enraged by the court case and by the subsequentdivorce.
Artemis shook herself.Romy is an adult and doesn’t need you worrying about her. Get a grip.Artemis asked herself whether she was distracting herself from her failing relationship by focusing so much attention on her sister. She pushed everything to the back of her mind and went to her favorite coffeeshop.
A gingerbread latte and a pastry later and she felt the tension leave her body. She was flicking through a book she’d purchased for Juno for Christmas when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up to see a very tall, handsome man, she smiled delightedly. “Dan?DanHelmond?”
Her old friend grinned back at her. “The very one. Hey,kiddo.”
Artemis stood and hugged him. Dan had been a couple of years old than she and Glen at school. Now he was a big bear of a man, his dark hair shot through with silver, his beard full. Plaid shirt and camo pants and ear piercings, and Dan looked more like a Hell’s Angel than the architect he was. He’d always been a kind, gentle man though, and all the Sasse sisters had had a crush on him at one point oranother.
“Can I get you a coffee?” Artemis askedhopefully.
“Nah, I just ordered. Can I get you a top up …ugh, woman, what is that monstrosity?” He peered into her half-empty mug and Artemisgrinned.
“It’s a gingerbread latte, you philistine, and no, thanks. One sugary hit is enough forme.”
Dan excused himself to pay for his own coffee—Americano, no sugar, no cream—and sat down with her. His brown eyes twinkled merrily at her. “Well, now, girl. You’re looking good. How’slife?”
“It’s good, thanks. I’m tenured at my college, family’s good. My mom’s getting marriedsoon.”
Dan looked surprised. “Wow, really? Someone’s tamed Magda Sasse?” He always deliberately pronounced their surname ‘Sassy’ rather than ‘Sass,’ Artemisremembered.
“I wouldn’t say tamed, exactly; you know Mom. She’s still a head-in-the-clouds nutso, but wonderful with it.” Artemis sipped her coffee. “She’s marrying StuartEames.”
With satisfaction, she saw the amazement on Dan’s face. “No freakin’way.”
“Yes,way.”
Dan let out a long breath. “Wow.Wow.”
“One of his sons is in property … Gaius Eames. You knowhim?”
Dan shook his head. “Heard of him, and that star doctor brother of his, but I don’t know either. How about you? Still withGlen?”
Barely. “Yes, we’re still, um, still …together.”
“You don’t seem sosure.”
Artemis shrugged, not wanting to talk about Glen with Dan and ruin the atmosphere. “How aboutyou?”
“Wife passed a few years back, cancer.” Dan stirred his coffee, clearly lost in those memories for a long moment, such that Arti reached over and touched hishand.
“I’m sorry,Dan.”
He nodded and looked up, briefly covering her hand with his and then going on as if he hadn’t missed a beat. “I have a seventeen-year-old daughter, Octavia. She’s heading off to Harvard nextyear.”
“That’sexciting.”
Dan beamed and Artemis felt her stomach flutter.That smile …“She’s my angel.” Dan went on, digging out his wallet and showing her a photograph of a pretty teenager with long dark hair and big soulful brown eyes like herfather.
“She’s gorgeous. She could be Romy’stwin.”
“She could. How is your sister doing? Last I heard, she was in NewYork.”
Artemis felt her chest tighten. “She’s back now, working as a resident at Rainier Hope. Surgical superstar in the making, so theysay.”
“I’m not surprised. AndJuno?”
