Page 56 of Fragile Love (Fragile 3)
Shocked, Lillian looked at Cayden. He stood there, an unreadable expression on his face. “I don’t know,” he mouthed, shrugging, and gave her a kiss. “I wanted to let you know, but my phone died.”
Katharina stepped into the house. “It’s charming!”
“It’s a mess,” Lillian countered. “So, uh, welcome, I guess.”
Katharina laughed her tinkling laugh. “I suppose you are curious why I’m here in Hanneston.”
“You suppose right.”
“I surprised even Cayden!”
Cayden nodded. “I had no idea she was on the same flight until we got off.”
“I was first class,” Katharina informed them. “So, he didn’t see me when he boarded.”
“Didn’t you book Cayden’s flight home?” Lillian asked.
“Yes. That’s how I knew which plane he was taking. When you said you were unsure about coming back to Los Angeles, I knew I would have to come here myself to convince you.”
The sound of uneven footsteps approached, and they all looked to see Andrew coming toward them on his crutches. “Was I not invited to this party?” he asked, beaming at Cayden and Lillian. Then he saw Katharina and his demeanor totally changed. “You must be Katharina.”
“I am.”
Andrew extended his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you. All good things, of course.”
Katharina smiled, studying Andrew for a moment. “I heard you were unwell recently. You don’t look so bad now.”
“I don’t feel so bad now,” he replied. Lillian saw that twinkle in his eyes.
“Andrew,” she jumped in, “Katharina came with Cayden to convince me to go to Los Angeles again.”
“Oh,” he said, looking at Katharina, “she was going to come anyway.”
“Really?” Katharina showed her perfectly straight teeth. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“I, uh, I was about to.”
“Well, now that we have that settled, we can prepare to leave. I don’t know how long I am going to need you. Maybe four days, maybe five, maybe a year.”
“You’re too funny, Katharina.” Lillian tried to sound cheerful, but the guys knew she was uncomfortable with all of this.
“Shall we sit and talk about the plan?” Katharina set her designer purse on a small table and swayed into the living room, observing every detail of the house. Andrew was lost for a minute, staring at the way she walked.
“Holy shit,” he whispered, and Lillian hit his shoulder.
She ran ahead to the living room, folding up a couple of blankets. “My house is very, um, lived in,” she said. “It doesn’t look picture-perfect all the time.”
“It is truly lovely. I am very glad I have seen it now. I understand you and your work so much better!” Katharina held out her hand for Black Cat to sniff before rubbing his head against her fingers.
“You understand better?”
“Yes, dear. Seeing where you live tells me a lot about the kind of person you are. It helps me see the back-story.”
“Oh. Interesting.”
“Anyone want water?” Cayden asked, standing in the kitchen doorway.
“No, thank you, handsome,” Katharina called back without looking. Her gaze caught on a collection of random trinkets on the wall unit. “Lillian, these are adorable. Where did you get them?”
